The Edenbridge Bonfire Society has unveiled its most divisive effigy yet: an 11-metre-tall depiction of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, rendered with grotesque caricature and layered with political and financial satire. The towering figure, revealed ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations on November 7, features Infantino with money cascading from his ears, a golden statue of former US president Donald Trump in his grasp, and a ‘red card hotline’ token clutched in his hand. The effigy’s most provocative detail—a mock ‘Presidents for Dummies’ book with the phrase *‘how to make billions’* emblazoned on its cover—directly references the controversies that have dogged Infantino’s tenure since 2016.
The choice of Infantino as this year’s target is no accident. The effigy’s creators have long used their annual Guy Fawkes-style figures to mock public figures, but Infantino’s inclusion signals a deliberate escalation in criticism. His leadership of Fifa has faced relentless scrutiny over the past year, with allegations of self-dealing, opaque financial dealings, and a perceived lack of transparency in governance. The golden Trump statue—a clear jab at the ‘Fifa Peace Prize’—underscores the broader narrative of Infantino’s association with figures accused of authoritarianism or financial impropriety. Even the inclusion of a Manchester City shirt in the effigy’s accompanying wheelie bin, alongside a traffic light, adds a layer of irony, given the club’s recent dominance under City Football Group’s ownership and the broader debates over football’s commercialization.
The effigy’s design is a masterclass in satirical precision. The ‘red card hotline’ token—an obvious reference to Fifa’s disciplinary processes—contrasts sharply with the perception of a leadership that has often appeared more concerned with preserving its own power than enforcing accountability. Meanwhile, the ‘Presidents for Dummies’ book, with its blunt instruction on wealth accumulation, mirrors the accusations that Infantino has used his position to amass personal fortune. The choice of materials—an 11-metre figure crafted from flammable materials—ensures the satire will be burned in public, a literal and symbolic rejection of the figure it represents.
Edenbridge’s Bonfire Night has long been a battleground for public opinion, with past effigies targeting politicians like Liz Truss and celebrities such as Harvey Weinstein. But Infantino’s inclusion elevates the event into a statement on the state of global football governance. The effigy’s unveiling comes as Fifa faces renewed pressure over its handling of the 2026 World Cup, with critics questioning the transparency of its bidding process and the ethical implications of its financial arrangements. Whether the effigy will prompt a broader reckoning remains to be seen, but its creation signals that the scrutiny of Infantino—and by extension, Fifa—is far from over.
The torchlit procession and fireworks display on November 7 will mark the climax of the event, with the effigy’s destruction serving as a symbolic end to another year of controversy. For football’s governing body, the image of Infantino’s figure—with its mocking details and unmistakable critique—will linger as a reminder that even at the highest levels, accountability is not a privilege reserved for the powerful.
