Gianni Infantino accused of violating FIFA neutrality to favor Donald Trump

The human rights organization FairSquare has filed a formal complaint with FIFA's ethics committee, accusing President Gianni Infantino of violating the institution's "duty of neutrality" through a series of gestures considered favorable to US President Donald Trump. The reaction comes after the leader from the White House received, on Friday evening, an ad hoc award created by FIFA, at a time considered by the London-based organization as an "unprecedented" escalation of the relationship between the two.

The moment that triggered the scandal occurred during the draw for the groups for the 2026 World Cup, hosted mainly by the United States. Donald Trump then received a "FIFA Peace Prize", a distinction announced suddenly, without details about the criteria, procedures or who decided to grant it. For FairSquare, this approach represents a "clear violation" of article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which requires strict political neutrality. Awarding an award to a political leader in office "cannot be justified by any diplomatic practice," according to the complaint consulted by AFP. The organization is asking the ethics committee to analyze not only the moment of the award, but also the process behind the establishment of the award, the mechanisms of which "have never been clarified" by FIFA.

• The risk of "losing the integrity of world football"

FairSquare recalls that the Infantino - Trump relationship became visible as early as 2025, with the return to power of the American leader. The FIFA president went so far as to publicly suggest that Donald Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize, a statement classified by the NGO as "direct entry into the political sphere." At the same time, Infantino made comments favorable to the domestic policies promoted by the president of the United States, an attitude that goes beyond the framework of a normal institutional relationship, warns FairSquare. The United States is hosting, along with Canada and Mexico, the 2026 World Cup, which implies inevitable diplomatic collaboration. FairSquare admits this, emphasizing that it is "natural and appropriate” for the FIFA president to maintain effective communication with the leader of the host state. But, the organization draws attention, Infantino seems to have gone beyond the framework necessary for "a functional relationship”, clearly supporting "President Trump's political agenda, nationally and internationally”. In FairSquare's opinion, this attitude risks affecting "the integrity and reputation of football and FIFA itself”.

• FIFA confirms the complaint, but remains silent

Contacted by AFP, FIFA confirmed that it had received FairSquare's complaint. The world football body did not comment on the content of the complaint and did not provide details on a possible timetable for the analysis by the ethics committee. The complaint opens a new front of tensions around the leadership of FIFA, which in recent years has already been criticized for excessive politicization of football, opaque relations with political leaders and controversial decisions related to major competitions. It remains to be seen whether this case will generate an official investigation or whether FIFA will consider FairSquare's approach as part of a civic pressure campaign, in a context in which the organization of the 2026 World Cup is approaching, and geopolitical relations are increasingly intersecting with performance sports.