FIFA President Gianni Infantino could soon face an International Olympic Committee (IOC) investigation as human rights group FairSquare prepares to file a formal complaint, accusing him of breaching political neutrality rules through his public support for former US President Donald Trump.
FairSquare, which has already challenged FIFA’s own ethics processes, said Wednesday that it will escalate the matter to the IOC, where Infantino has been a member since 2020. The group’s complaint alleges “repeated breaches of political neutrality,” including Infantino’s role in introducing a FIFA Peace Prize—awarded to Trump—and whether those decisions were made unilaterally or with proper FIFA Council oversight.
Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics mandates strict political neutrality for all officials, with violations potentially leading to fines or bans from football-related activities. FairSquare insists Infantino’s actions—including public endorsements of Trump’s policies and the controversial Peace Prize—cross that line.
The complaint also highlights recent events at the World Cup, where FIFA cleared American striker Folarin Balogun to play after Trump personally appealed to Infantino. While the FIFA President has denied involvement in the decision, the sequence has fueled further scrutiny.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the committee had not yet received the complaint, but would investigate if one arrived. Meanwhile, FIFA has acknowledged FairSquare’s complaint but has not indicated whether an official investigation is underway, citing confidentiality.
Support for FairSquare’s campaign is growing: 50 Members of the European Parliament and the Norwegian Football Federation have formally backed the call for a thorough review of Infantino’s actions.
With the spotlight now on both FIFA and the IOC, the outcome could have major implications for the future of football’s top leadership and its commitment to political neutrality.
