Human Rights Group to Lodge IOC Complaint Against Infantino Over Trump Support

FIFA President Gianni Infantino could face an investigation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after a human rights group announced plans on Wednesday to file a complaint, alleging he violated political neutrality rules through his support for then-US President Donald Trump.

The human rights advocacy group FairSquare stated it would submit a complaint to the IOC regarding Infantino's "repeated breaches of political neutrality rules," challenging FIFA's ethical processes. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020. FairSquare also filed a complaint with FIFA's Ethics Committee in December 2025, citing multiple instances where Infantino "publicly expressed his support for the actions and policies" of the American head of state. The complaint further requested that the Ethics Committee investigate Infantino's role in the decision to introduce a FIFA Peace Award, the decision to bestow it upon President Trump, and the compliance of these processes with FIFA's procedural rules.

FairSquare's complaint alleges that Infantino violated Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which pertains to the duty of neutrality. Individuals bound by the Code must remain politically neutral in official dealings, with violations punishable by a fine of at least 10,000 Swiss francs and a ban of up to two years from all football-related activities. The complaint also asks the Ethics Committee to investigate whether the decisions to introduce an annual Peace Award and subsequently present it to Trump at the World Cup draw were made by the FIFA Council or unilaterally by Infantino himself. "If Mr. Infantino acted unilaterally and without any legal authority, this should be considered a gross abuse of power," FairSquare stated.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated on Tuesday that no complaint had been received, but added: "Obviously, if we receive it, we will look into it." Although the secretariat of FIFA's Investigatory Chamber confirmed receipt of the complaint in December, the global football organization has given "no indication" that an investigation has commenced, according to FairSquare. The Norwegian Football Federation also officially supported a complaint, requesting the committee to assess whether Infantino violated the governing body's statutes regarding political neutrality through the awarding of the Peace Award and related actions.

Most recently, at the World Cup, FIFA overturned a red card ban for American forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium, which the USA lost 4-1, after Trump personally urged Infantino to review the case. Infantino, however, denied any involvement in the final decision.