FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been chosen as the main effigy for Edenbridge Bonfire Society’s annual celebration in Kent. The society said its choice reflected a series of decisions that had left their mark on world football in the wake of the World Cup.
The 36ft (11m) effigy will feature alongside a giant Guy Fawkes at Saturday’s event. US President Donald Trump will also appear as part of the effigy, following his presentation of Fifa’s new Peace Prize to Trump this year.
Laura Lawrence of the society said there had been a desire to move away from choosing politicians, but that selecting Infantino had not entirely taken the event away from politics. She said he deserved to take centre stage because of controversies including the suspension of a red card given to United States player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup, at Trump’s request. The society also cited Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, which was dropped after opposition.
Public nominations included Elon Musk, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, the society said. Previous effigy targets have included former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Trump.
Artist and society co-chair Andrea Deans has been making the effigies since 2016. She said Infantino’s took six days to prepare, while an effigy can take about a week. Deans said Trump was included because the society had depicted him 10 years ago, making this an anniversary for them.
The celebration also features local references: a bin reflecting residents’ problems with waste collections and traffic lights, which Deans said cause disruption in Edenbridge almost every month.
The not-for-profit society has held a parade in Edenbridge since 1928. Saturday’s event begins at 18:30 GMT with a torchlit procession, featuring more than 1,000 flaming torches and around 20 floats, walking parties, visiting bonfire societies and marching bands. All roads into the town are due to close at 18:00 GMT.
Sources: BBC News UK.