More than 20 MPs have called for the United States to be expelled from the World Cup following Donald Trump’s alleged breaches of international law. The cross-party coalition has urged FIFA to contemplate removing the USA due to its conduct in Venezuela and the President’s “veiled and overt threats” towards Colombia, Cuba and Denmark.
Trump faces accusations of violating international law after ordering special forces to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Tensions have escalated following the White House’s suggestion that it may attempt to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory.
Additionally, Trump cautioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro to “watch his ass”, suggesting he might face similar consequences to Maduro. He further declared Cuba is “ready to fall” and stated the US is “going to have to do something” about Mexico.
A group of 21 MPs are now demanding that the US face a ban from major international sporting competitions. The parliamentary motion urges the Commons to voice concern over the “kidnapping” of Maduro and intimidating statements directed at sovereign nations, including Colombia, Cuba and Denmark.
Labour MP Brian Leishman, who tabled the motion, told The Mirror: “This is rank hypocrisy by the international community and by sporting bodies. FIFA says it’s not political, but then it gives awards to Donald Trump.”
The global football governing body awarded the President its inaugural FIFA Peace Award in December. Mr Leishman added: “Let’s have consistency. It’s an invasion of a sovereign nation and the kidnapping of a president in Venezuela. I’m very critical of Maduro, I want to be very clear on that, but what we’ve seen is a breach of international law. When you see how Russia has been treated, which is absolutely correct, I just want there to be consistency.”
The motion argues that Trump’s actions “undermine the rules-based international order” and that sporting events “should not be used to legitimise or normalise violations of international law by powerful states”. The cross-party group – comprising 15 Labour backbenchers, Your Party‘s Jeremy Corbyn, a Lib Dem MP and four from Plaid Cymru – also insisted the Government must challenge “double standards in the enforcement of international norms”.
The Government has stated it is the White House’s duty to present the legal justification for the operation in Venezuela. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized and transported to the US, where they face trial on conspiracy charges.
The US has branded the deposed leader a “narco-terrorist”, but he claimed to be a “kidnapped president” and a “prisoner of war”. Britain has said it stands with Denmark following Trump’s threat to annex Greenland on national security grounds.
Keir Starmer stated that the people of Denmark and Greenland should decide the island’s future. He discussed this during a call with the unpredictable US President.