Rights group takes FIFA complaint against Infantino to IOC over Trump ties

A human rights and sports watchdog says it plans to take its complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), accusing him of repeatedly breaking rules on political neutrality through his public support for and close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

London-based FairSquare said it is escalating the case after FIFA gave no sign that it had opened an investigation into an earlier complaint submitted to its Ethics Committee in December 2025.

The group said Infantino’s public comments and actions in support of Trump raise questions over whether he acts on his own or with approval from FIFA’s leadership. It argued that any move made without proper authorization could represent a serious misuse of power.

FairSquare also cited Infantino’s decision to award Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize as part of its complaint, asking FIFA to investigate whether the creation of the award and its presentation to a sitting political leader were consistent with the organization’s neutrality rules.

Critics of the award pointed to Trump’s long record of controversial policies and decisions, including disputes over his foreign policy, immigration measures and legal battles, as reasons why the honor drew criticism.

FairSquare’s complaint refers to FIFA’s ethics rules, which require officials to remain politically neutral. Those rules allow for penalties, including fines and possible bans from football-related activities.

Infantino has also been a member of the IOC since 2020, meaning he is expected to follow the Olympic movement’s principles, including political neutrality.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said no formal complaint had yet been received but added that any submission would be reviewed.

The complaint has received support from 50 members of the European Parliament, while the Norwegian Football Federation has also backed calls for an ethics investigation.

The case comes amid wider criticism of FIFA’s handling of political issues surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including its decision to overturn the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun after Trump reportedly intervened with Infantino.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hit out at the United States for using the tournament as a platform for political pressure, saying Washington’s actions reflect its broader foreign policy approach.

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Iran also criticized restrictions placed on its national team during the tournament, saying players faced travel limits that other teams did not. Tehran stated that such measures violated the principles of fairness and equal treatment expected from a World Cup host.

The controversy has intensified debate over the role of politics in international sport and whether football officials can maintain neutrality while maintaining close ties with political leaders.

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