ZURICH (AP) - FIFA has criticized the Nobel Peace Center for lacking fair play by ending their partnership and announcing the split via the media.
The soccer world’s governing body is “reluctant to accept this unilateral approach” to the ’Handshake for Peace’ project.
FIFA says “this action does not embody the spirit of fair play, especially as it obstructs the promotion of the key values of peace-building and anti-discrimination.”
On Monday, the Nobel center announced it would “terminate the cooperation with FIFA.”
No reason was given, though FIFA is implicated in corruption investigations by American and Swiss federal agencies.
Last week, Interpol suspended ties with FIFA, and the Vatican stopped a charity project with South America’s football body.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has heavily promoted the handshake gesture since the Nobel partnership began in 2012.
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