IOC dismisses complaint against FIFA's Infantino over Trump support

The International Olympic Committee has turned down a complaint from the human rights group FairSquare against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The complaint was about Infantino's alleged failure to stay politically neutral, an IOC spokesperson told AFP on Friday.

FairSquare claims that Infantino has “repeatedly breached IOC’s rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for US president Donald Trump.”

“The IOC Ethics Commission thoroughly analyzed the complaint by FairSquare,” the spokesperson said.

“The commission noticed that, according to the Olympic Charter, each International Federation (IF) keeps its independence and autonomy in its governance.

“The complaint falls outside the IOC Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.”

The Olympic body’s approximately one hundred members, including Infantino, must act “independently of commercial and political interests.” This requirement is also part of the Olympic Charter.

In February, the IOC also dismissed a previous issue about Infantino attending Trump’s first Board of Peace meeting. At that meeting, he wore a red cap that had “USA” and “45-47” written on it, referring to Trump’s two terms in office.

“The IOC has been in contact with FIFA,” an IOC spokesperson told AFP in February.

“We understand that FIFA is supporting, through football, a sport recovery investment program in Gaza, Palestine. They are providing sports facilities, education, and elite development proposals.

“This is completely in line with the role of an International Sports Federation. The IOC, through Olympic Solidarity, which is our development vehicle, has supported sports development in the region and will continue to do so.”

In December, FIFA gave Trump its first peace prize. Infantino stated it was to recognize the US president’s “exceptional and extraordinary” efforts to promote peace and unity globally.

During the World Cup in North America, Trump boasted about calling Infantino before FIFA lifted the suspension on US striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun was suspended after receiving a red card.