FairSquare, a London‑based human rights nonprofit, filed a formal complaint Tuesday against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his public support for Donald Trump and the awarding of a peace prize to the U.S. president.
FairSquare’s Complaint
The organization’s eight‑page submission accuses Infantino of breaching FIFA’s statutory duty to remain politically neutral. “The award of a prize of this nature to a sitting political leader is in and of itself a clear breach of FIFA’s duty of neutrality,” FairSquare wrote. The complaint also alleges that Infantino acted unilaterally and without statutory authority, calling it “an egregious abuse of power.”
FIFA’s Response
FIFA said its ethics committee does not comment on potential ongoing cases and could not confirm that it had received the complaint. The global soccer body’s ethics code, however, stipulates that a violation of neutrality can lead to a ban from soccer of up to two years, though it is not yet clear whether the case will be pursued.
Independence of Current Investigators
Observers note that the investigators and judges currently appointed by FIFA appear less independent than those who served a decade ago, when former president Sepp Blatter was removed from office. This perceived lack of independence has raised concerns about the fairness of any forthcoming proceedings.
Infantino’s Statements About Trump
Earlier this year, Infantino publicly backed Trump and his policies. He also suggested that the U.S. president deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, a suggestion that sparked additional criticism because Trump never received the award.
Aligning Soccer With the United States
Infantino has closely aligned FIFA’s activities with the United States government in preparation for the 2026 men’s World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by Canada and Mexico. The tournament is projected to generate more than $10 billion for FIFA.
The 2026 World Cup Draw
Last Friday, political leaders from all three co‑host nations joined Infantino on stage in Washington, D.C., to begin the World Cup tournament draw. The event followed Trump’s receipt of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, further fueling the controversy.
FairSquare’s Prior Challenges
FairSquare has previously challenged FIFA on several issues, including the human rights record of Saudi Arabia, the 2034 World Cup host; the influence of the kingdom’s oil company Aramco, a top‑tier World Cup sponsor; FIFA governance standards; and the organization’s slow investigations into potential statutory breaches involving teams from Israeli settlements playing in the national soccer league.
Key Takeaways
- FairSquare filed a formal ethics complaint against Gianni Infantino over his support for Donald Trump and a peace prize awarded to the U.S. president.
- FIFA’s ethics code allows a ban of up to two years for breaches of neutrality, though it has not confirmed taking up the case.
- Infantino’s actions and statements, including suggesting Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize, are central to the complaint.
Closing
The situation highlights ongoing tensions within FIFA’s governance structure and raises questions about the organization’s adherence to its own neutrality principles. As the investigation proceeds, stakeholders will watch closely to see whether FIFA’s ethics committee will act on FairSquare’s allegations.
