. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alleging that he violated the principle of political neutrality.
The complaint, filed by rights group Fairsquare, accuses Infantino of violating the IOC’s code of political neutrality by engaging with US President Donald Trump. The main subject of the complaint is the decision at the last minute to postpone the automatic suspension of a match by American striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was banned for one match after receiving a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
But FIFA announced on July 5 that the suspension had been suspended for a one-year trial, allowing him to play in the last 16 against Belgium.
Trump has publicly called for a review of the red card’s decision. Infantino admitted to receiving the call from Trump but said it did not influence the decision.
Trump said he was only asking for a review of the decision and that it was not a foul.
He also called the referee’s red card decision “wrong” and said FIFA had made the right decision. Balogun played against Belgium but the United States crashed out of the tournament after losing 4-1.
Reacting to the controversy, Infantino said FIFA’s judicial bodies function independently and their independence is vital to the credibility of football.
Fairsquare said Infantino, who has been an IOC member since 2020, is required to remain politically neutral in accordance with the Olympic Charter and IOC Code of Conduct. The organization has accused Infantino of making five clear actions in favor of Trump.
The indictment also includes endorsements of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize, attending events related to his inauguration, awarding him FIFA’s first Peace Prize and promoting a FIFA World Cup fan platform that is said to have been linked to a data collection campaign linked to Trump. FairSquare had previously filed a complaint against Infantino with FIFA’s ethics committee in December.
The report was supported by 50 members of the Norwegian Football Federation and the European Parliament. The IOC and FIFA have not yet commented publicly on the matter. ANI
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