FIFA’s Infantino referred to Olympic ethics body over Trump ties

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is being referred to the International Olympic Committee's ethics investigators over a possible breach of political neutrality, after U.S. President Donald Trump lobbied to overturn a World Cup player's suspension during the 2026 tournament.

The Complaint

London-based sports and human rights organization FairSquare announced Wednesday that it will file a formal complaint with the IOC Ethics Commission regarding what it called Infantino's "repeated breach of political neutrality rules." The move came one day after IOC president Kirsty Coventry told reporters no such complaint had yet been received.seattlepi+1

The complaint centers on the controversy surrounding U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card during the co-hosts' 2-0 victory in the round of 32. Trump made a phone call to Infantino urging a reconsideration of Balogun's one-game suspension, according to The Athletic. FIFA's independent disciplinary committee subsequently found a way to suspend the ban, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium.nytimes

A Pattern of Concerns

This is not the first time FairSquare has raised concerns about Infantino's relationship with Trump. In December 2025, the group filed a complaint with FIFA's own Ethics Committee, alleging bias related to Infantino's praise of Trump and FIFA's decision to award the U.S. president the organization's inaugural Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw. FIFA's ethics body conducted its own investigation and concluded there was no proof of misconduct.reddit+1

The decision to now escalate to the IOC — which oversees FIFA as a recognized international federation — reflects frustration with FIFA's internal accountability mechanisms. CNBC reported that Trump received $15,000 in FIFA tickets from Infantino, adding to scrutiny over their relationship.cnbc

Wider Fallout

The Balogun affair has drawn protests from Belgium, whose football association said it was "astonished" by the decision to declare the suspended player eligible. The BBC asked whether the controversy could threaten Infantino's decade-long tenure atop FIFA, though noted that removing him remains unlikely.bbc+1

The complaint to the IOC raises broader questions about political influence in sports governance at a time when the World Cup is being hosted on American soil, with Trump expected to present the trophy to the eventual winners.