FIFA President Accused of Violating Ethical Rules to Favor Trump

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been accused of violating the organization's strict political neutrality rules following a complaint regarding his public support for President Donald Trump. The allegations come from FairSquare, a group dedicated to promoting accountability in sports, which filed a formal complaint with the ethics committee of global soccer's governing body.

The complaint focuses on Infantino's comments about Trump and the controversial process that led to the U.S. leader receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. The award was presented during the World Cup draw held last Friday in Washington, an event that highlighted the close relationship between the American president and Infantino.

In this context, a letter sent by FairSquare—first reported by The Athletic and reviewed by the Press Association—cites several instances of public support for Trump by Infantino. For example, in October, the FIFA president wrote on Instagram that Donald Trump "deserves" the Nobel Peace Prize.

During the World Cup draw, after the screening of a video about Trump, Infantino took the stage and praised him, stating, "This is what we want from a leader. You, without a doubt, deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your actions, for what you have achieved in your own way, in an incredible manner." He concluded with an emphatic declaration: "You can always count on my support."

FIFA's ethics code stipulates a ban of up to two years from soccer for violating the principle of neutrality, though it is unclear if the case will be pursued. Some observers believe the current ethics investigators and judges appointed by FIFA operate with less independence than their predecessors a decade ago, when then-President Joseph Blatter was removed from his position.

In a November interview during the American Business Forum in Miami, Infantino emphasized that "everyone should support" what Trump is doing in the United States. Similarly, in an Instagram post on January 20, the day of the presidential inauguration, the FIFA president wrote: "Together we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world."