By: Kwame Bediako
International watchdog FairSquare has urged FIFA’s Ethics Committee to investigate President Gianni Infantino for alleged breaches of political neutrality linked to his support of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The group also wants the committee to scrutinize how Trump was selected to receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a decision that has faced mounting criticism for its lack of transparency.
FairSquare, which monitors issues around governance and human rights in global institutions, submitted an eight-page complaint to FIFA’s Ethics Committee and communications department.
The filing, seen by The Athletic, accuses Infantino of publicly endorsing political positions and actions that contravene Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which requires neutrality in all political matters.
The group’s complaint points to several incidents, including Infantino’s public praise of Trump’s foreign policy and his call for him to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
FairSquare also references events in Miami and Washington, where Infantino reportedly applauded Trump’s leadership while representing FIFA.
These statements, the organisation argues, went beyond personal opinion and carried the weight of official endorsement.
Moreover, FairSquare alleges that the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize itself bypassed proper governance channels.
According to The Athletic, members of the FIFA Council were unaware of the award’s existence or selection criteria until after it was announced.
Human Rights Watch had earlier raised similar concerns, claiming there was no transparent nomination or judging process.
The controversy has renewed debate over FIFA’s commitment to impartial governance at a time when Infantino is promoting global unity through football.
Neither FIFA nor its president has publicly responded to the allegations, while Trump previously described the honour as one of the greatest recognitions of his lifetime.
