Carlsen Admits Strained FIDE Ties, Cites "Jeansgate" Row

• Magnus Carlsen openly stated his relationship with FIDE is "not great" during the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Doha.
• His participation in Doha was driven by personal ties with local organizers, Grandmaster Mohammed Al-Mudahka and Qatar Chess Federation, not FIDE.
• Carlsen's relationship with FIDE has been complicated since the "jeansgate row" in New York, where he was reprimanded for wearing jeans.
• He was fined, refused to change, withdrew from the Rapid tournament, and criticized FIDE's handling of the dress code incident.
• FIDE later changed its dress code for 2025 to allow "classic, non-distressed jeans," and Carlsen auctioned his controversial jeans for charity.

Why It Matters: Carlsen's candid remarks highlight ongoing tensions with FIDE, rooted in past dress code disputes.