Non-profit group FairSquare has filed a complaint with Fifa’s Ethics Committee
A formal complaint against Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been filed with the body’s Ethics Committee, after a watchdog group accused him of repeatedly breaching Fifa’s rules on political neutrality.
FairSquare, a non-profit focused on labour rights, political repression, and governance in sport, submitted an eight-page complaint outlining four alleged violations of article 15 of the Fifa Code of Ethics, according to The Athletic.
The organisation says Infantino went beyond acceptable diplomatic engagement and acted as a political supporter of Trump.
One example they cited was Infantino’s public call for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, when he wrote on Instagram that “President Donald J. Trump definitely deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his decisive actions”.
FairSquare argues the statement amounts to “a clear personal endorsement” in a contentious political dispute.
The complaint also highlights Infantino’s comments during an appearance at the America Business Forum in Miami, where he described Trump as “a really close friend” and told the audience: “I think we should all support what he’s doing because I think it’s looking pretty good.”
FairSquare says the remarks show he encouraged support for Trump’s political agenda.
Another incident relates to Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington DC, where Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize. The complaint says the ceremony and introductory video repeated political claims about Trump’s foreign policy. It highlights Infantino telling the US President: “You definitely deserve the first Fifa Peace Prize … and you can always count, Mr President, on my support.”
FairSquare also cites a video posted in January in which Infantino thanked Trump for inviting him to a pre-inauguration event and concluded: “Together we will make not only America great again but also the entire world.”
Alongside the concerns over neutrality, FairSquare has asked the Ethics Committee to review how the Peace Prize was created.
According to reports, neither the Fifa Council nor the organisation’s vice-presidents were consulted before the award was unveiled. The group argues that introducing such a prize, and granting it to a sitting head of state, should have required approval under Fifa’s statutes.
