Football body disappointed as Nobel Peace Center ends Handshake for Peace agreement

After the Nobel Peace Center made a move towards terminating its agreement with FIFA regarding the Handshake for Peace initiative, world football's governing body has expressed its disappointment.

The centre, in partnership with the Norwegian Football Association, created the initiative back in 2012, aiming to promote the values of respect, friendship and fair play.

In 2013, the centre signed a three-year deal with FIFA to promote the initiative, and that commitment was reconfirmed at the latest FIFA Congress.

However, the centre has since released a statement declaring: "The board asks the administration to terminate the cooperation with FIFA as soon as circumstances allow."

FIFA responded with a statement of its own, which read: "We are disappointed to have learned from the media about the Nobel Peace Center's intent to terminate the cooperation with FIFA on the Handshake for Peace initiative.

"FIFA is reluctant to accept this unilateral approach on what is a joint initiative between the football community and the Nobel Peace Center.

"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."