FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing the threat of an ethics investigation over allegations he helped US President Donald Trump prevent a World Cup player's suspension. London-based human rights and sports organization Fair Square announced it will file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against Infantino on these grounds.
In a statement, the organization said, "We will file a complaint with the IOC over FIFA President Gianni Infantino's repeated violation of political neutrality rules." Fair Square argues that Infantino's intervention breached the fundamental principle of neutrality in sports governance.
The incident began when US President Trump took credit for FIFA's unprecedented decision in modern World Cup history to allow US forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium on the same day despite receiving a red card in the previous match. Trump claimed the achievement on Monday.
After FIFA's clearance, Belgium defeated the US 4-1 in Seattle. The Belgian team appeared affected by the storm surrounding the decision.
The International Olympic Committee defines the political neutrality of sports organizations as "one of the fundamental principles of the Olympic movement." Infantino has been subject to the IOC's jurisdiction since joining its more than 100 invited members in 2020.