Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award

Fifa’s ethics committee has been urged to investigate president Gianni Infantino over allegations that he violated the organisation’s rules on political neutrality through his public support of United States president Donald Trump. Last week, at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC, Infantino presented Trump with Fifa’s first-ever peace prize. He has also shared social media posts and given interviews praising the 79-year-old leader. Human rights organisation FairSquare submitted a formal complaint—seen by BBC Sport—claiming Infantino committed “four clear breaches” of Fifa’s neutrality regulations. “The very act of awarding such a prize to a sitting political leader is itself a clear breach of Fifa’s duty of neutrality,” the letter states, adding that Infantino has no authority “to unilaterally dictate the organisation’s mission, strategic direction, policies or values.” BBC Sport has sought comment from Fifa regarding the matter. Infantino and Trump appeared together on stage at the Kennedy Center during the ceremony for next year’s tournament, which will run across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. Trump was presented with a large golden trophy, along with a medal and certificate. In his remarks, Infantino said, “This is what we want from a leader,” adding, “You can always count, Mr President, on my support.” In October, Infantino wrote on Instagram that Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize. In a November interview at the American Business Forum in Miami, he added: “We should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the US] because I think it’s looking pretty good.” FairSquare also highlighted an Instagram video Infantino posted in January, following his attendance at Trump’s inauguration, which they argue “indicates support for President Trump’s political agenda.” Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare’s programme director, said the issue extends beyond Infantino’s comments about Trump: “This complaint is about how Fifa’s absurd governance structure has enabled Gianni Infantino to openly flout the organisation’s rules and act in ways that are both dangerous and directly contrary to the interests of the world’s most popular sport.”