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The Edenbridge Bonfire Society has revealed that this year’s effigy will depict Fifa president Gianni Infantino. The event, held annually in the Kent town, selected Infantino due to his notable impact on football following recent World Cup developments. The society highlighted that Infantino’s decisions have generated significant discussion globally within the sport.
In previous years, the society’s effigies have targeted prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former US President Donald Trump. This year’s effigy also includes an element portraying Trump, referencing Infantino’s presentation of the new Fifa Peace Prize to him earlier this year. Other figures nominated by the public for the effigy included Elon Musk, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.
Laura Lawrence from the Edenbridge Bonfire Society explained that although there was initially an intent to move away from political figures, the choice of Infantino still holds strong political connotations. She stated that the Fifa president “thoroughly deserves to take centre stage” due to controversies such as the suspension of a red card for United States player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup at Donald Trump’s request. Additionally, Infantino faced backlash after proposing to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan which was eventually abandoned because of opposition.
The effigy, measuring 36 feet tall, will be prominently displayed alongside a giant figure of Guy Fawkes during the event. The Edenbridge Bonfire Society’s long-standing tradition sees over 1,000 torches lighting a procession that includes approximately 20 floats, marching bands, and participants from visiting bonfire societies. The event will begin with road closures at 6:00 pm GMT on Saturday and a torch-lit procession starting at 6:30 pm. Andrea Deans, the society’s artist and co-chair, who has crafted the effigies since 2016, mentioned that, while her creations typically take about a week to complete, the Infantino effigy was finished in six days. She noted the inclusion of local references on the structure, such as a wheelie bin and traffic lights, symbolising issues faced by Edenbridge residents
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