Watchdog Files IOC Complaint Against FIFA President Over Alleged Political Activity

A watchdog group filed a complaint Tuesday with the International Olympic Committee alleging that FIFA President Gianni Infantino violated rules on political neutrality. FairSquare said Infantino offered political support to President Trump on multiple occasions, breaching the Olympic Charter requirement that sports organizations maintain neutrality at all times.

The complaint listed five instances in which Infantino allegedly departed from that standard.

FairSquare argued that if Infantino acted at the request of the U.S. president in a recent referee review, the action would violate both IOC neutrality rules and the principle of fair play. The group noted that the alleged violations date back to the president's 2025 inauguration. FairSquare said it first submitted a similar complaint directly to FIFA last December.

Background on the Referee Decision The complaint followed a World Cup match in which a referee issued a red card to a U.S. player after a collision. FIFA's independent judicial bodies later overturned the suspension. President Trump stated that he initiated a review of the decision during a call with Infantino.

FairSquare also cited Washington Examiner reporting that a data company linked to a former Trump campaign manager obtained contact information from spectators at a World Cup watch party on the National Mall. Infantino is scheduled to stand for reelection in 2027. FIFA has not issued a public response to the complaint.