On July 9, 2026, the human rights group FairSquare announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The complaint alleges that Infantino has repeatedly breached political neutrality rules by supporting U.S. President Donald Trump.
FairSquare's Allegations Against Infantino
FairSquare claims that Infantino's actions contravene Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which mandates political neutrality in official dealings. The organization has previously challenged FIFA's ethics processes and argues that Infantino's public support for Trump constitutes a significant violation.
In December 2025, FairSquare filed a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, detailing instances where Infantino allegedly expressed support for Trump's policies. The complaint specifically requests an investigation into Infantino's role in the introduction of a FIFA Peace Prize and whether the decision to award it to Trump was made unilaterally by Infantino.
Consequences of Breaching Political Neutrality
According to the FIFA Code of Ethics, breaches of political neutrality can result in severe consequences, including fines of at least 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $12,400) and potential bans of up to two years from football-related activities. FairSquare's complaint underscores the seriousness of Infantino's alleged actions and the potential ramifications he could face.
FairSquare has also called for an investigation into whether the decisions surrounding the Peace Prize were made by the FIFA Council or if they were solely Infantino's decision. The organization stated, “If Mr. Infantino acted unilaterally and without any statutory authority, this should be considered an egregious abuse of power.”
IOC's Response and Future Implications
IOC President Kirsty Coventry confirmed that no formal complaint had been received yet but indicated that the IOC would investigate if one were filed. Meanwhile, FIFA’s Secretariat acknowledged the receipt of FairSquare's complaint but has not indicated whether an investigation will commence.
FairSquare's public campaign, titled Reboot, aims at reforming FIFA, and it has garnered significant support, including a letter from 50 members of the European Parliament backing the complaint against Infantino. The Norwegian Football Federation has also formally supported the complaint, urging the committee to evaluate Infantino's actions regarding political neutrality.
In a related incident, FIFA recently suspended the red-card ban of American striker Folarin Balogun after Trump personally urged Infantino to review the case. Infantino has since denied any involvement in the decision.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
