FIFA president Gianni Infantino will not face an investigation over allegations that he breached political neutrality.
The football official was the subject of a complaint filed by human rights campaign group FairSquare, but the International Olympic Committee has now responded with a statement confirming it will not pursue the matter.
Earlier this month, human rights campaign group FairSquare called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino over an alleged breach of political neutrality after he publicly expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump.
However, the IOC has now declined to open an investigation, stating in its response that addressing the complaint falls outside its jurisdiction.
“The current complaint, with regard to the FIFA president, refers only to the international federation’s decisions on its governance and its management, including its relations with government, and to the international federation’s implementation of the rules of its sport, which are both outside the scope of application of the IOC Code of Ethics,” the statement read in full.
Why FairSquare Targeted Gianni Infantino
The complaint filed by human rights campaign group FairSquare centered on seven alleged instances in which Infantino is accused of breaching political neutrality, with two of the claims relating to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the organization, Infantino may have “acquiesced to political pressure from President Trump to circumvent FIFA’s on-field disciplinary rules during the 2026 men’s World Cup.”
The allegation relates to the red-card suspension handed to U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun, which the group claims came under review after Trump called for the decision to be reconsidered.
A second allegation concerns Infantino’s promotion of a FIFA fan site for the 2026 men’s World Cup.
An investigation by the organization alleged the website appeared to be part of a data-harvesting campaign run by entities linked to President Trump.
Infantino Denied Influencing Red Card Call
While Infantino has not personally addressed FairSquare’s complaint or the IOC’s response, he has previously denied having any involvement in the decision that led to Balogun’s red-card suspension being overturned.
“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance,” he wrote.
“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected,” he added.
IOC Decision Doesn’t End FIFA Controversy
Despite the IOC’s decision not to investigate Infantino, the controversy surrounding the overturned red card continues to attract scrutiny.
The issue gained renewed attention after the president of the Norwegian Football Association, whose team the United States was facing when Folarin Balogun was sent off, said the organization is considering filing a formal complaint at its next meeting.
Also under consideration is a separate complaint previously filed over FIFA’s decision to award its inaugural Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.
“It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to FIFA’s ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding FIFA’s so-called Peace Prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year,” president Lise Klaveness said in a statement provided to the BBC.
Gianni Infantino Defended Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize
Regarding the decision to award Trump a FIFA Peace Prize, Infantino defended the move despite widespread criticism.
In a statement, the FIFA president pointed to Trump’s diplomatic efforts, claiming he had helped bring an end to the killing in Gaza.
“We gave him the peace prize because he was instrumental in resolving conflicts, in saving lives, and saving really thousands of lives, and to me there is nothing more important than stopping killings and stopping these kinds of sufferings,” he said.
At the December ceremony where Trump received the honor, Infantino praised the U.S. president, describing him as a leader who genuinely cares about people.
“You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have achieved in your way. You can always count, Mr. President, on my support, on the support of the entire football community, our soccer community, to help you make peace,” Infantino remarked.