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By Daniel Orton
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino was accused of violating the organization's strict rules on political neutrality after presenting U.S. President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
The human rights group FairSquare has formally requested FIFA's Ethics Committee investigate whether Infantino's actions and public endorsements of Trump constitute a breach of Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics. According to the code, FIFA must remain impartial in political matters. Newsweek has contacted FIFA for comment via email.
Why It Matters
FIFA's credibility hinges on its commitment to political neutrality, a principle designed to keep global soccer free from partisan influence. If its president is found to have breached this rule by honoring a sitting U.S. president, it could undermine trust in the organization's independence and raise questions about whether FIFA's leadership is susceptible to political favoritism. Such a precedent risks eroding confidence among member associations, players and fans, and it could spark broader scrutiny of governance within one of the world's most influential sporting bodies.
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What To Know
On December 5, at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., Infantino presented Trump with the first FIFA Peace Prize. The honor was accompanied by a gold trophy, medal and certificate recognizing Trump's peace efforts, such as brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia—where fighting broke out again days later.
The ceremony took place at the Kennedy Center, where Infantino praised the U.S. president, saying, "This is what we want from a leader."
He continued: "You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way. But you obtained it in an incredible way. And you can always count, Mr. President, on my support."
"This is truly one of the great honors of my life," Trump said, adding: "Most important, I just want to thank everybody. The world is a safer place now."
FIFA announced the creation of its own peace prize last month, with Infantino unveiling the initiative shortly after an appearance by Trump at the America Business Forum in Miami.
FairSquare's complaint cites four instances the group said breached ethics rules: Infantino lobbying for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, praising Trump's agenda and calling him a "really close friend" at the Miami business forum, and lauding Trump's leadership while awarding the Peace Prize at the World Cup draw, along with a January video echoing Trump's campaign messaging—actions FairSquare argues cannot be considered private given Infantino's role.
The complaint also challenges the process by which the award was established, alleging based on reporting from The New York Times and The Athletic that the FIFA Council was not consulted in the process of awarding the prize but should have been.
What People Are Saying
Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare's program director, said in a statement: "This complaint is about a lot more than Infantino's support for President Donald Trump's political agenda. More broadly, this is about how FIFA's absurd governance structure has allowed Gianni Infantino to openly flout the organization's rules and act in ways that are both dangerous and directly contrary to the interests of the world’s most popular sport."
What Happens Next
The Ethics Committee of FIFA, an independent body empowered to investigate and adjudicate possible breaches of the organization's Code of Ethics, is now expected to review the complaint and determine if a formal investigation is warranted.
Sanctions for violating political neutrality can include a two-year ban from football-related activities.
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