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FairSquare Seeks FIFA Ethics Probe Over Infantino’s Trump Ties
FairSquare is a human-rights group that wants FIFA to investigate its president, Gianni Infantino.
More than 100,000 people signed its complaint.
The group says Infantino became too close to U.S. President Donald Trump.
It points to a red-card decision involving Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
FairSquare also questions a planned investment project and a peace prize given to Trump.
It says these actions may have broken FIFA’s ethics rules.
FIFA’s ethics committee acknowledged an earlier complaint but has not provided an update, according to FairSquare.
Infantino still plans to seek another term as FIFA president.
More than 100,000 people signed a FairSquare complaint urging FIFA to investigate President Gianni Infantino.
The complaint alleges abuse of power, political-neutrality violations and breaches of loyalty obligations involving Donald Trump.
FairSquare cited Trump’s request during the World Cup to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, which was later suspended.
The group also alleges Infantino bypassed FIFA procedures over a proposed private-equity investment plan and a FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Trump.
Infantino is seeking a fourth FIFA presidential term in March, while FairSquare argues he may have exceeded the organization’s term limit.
- Who
- FairSquare and its Reboot FIFA campaign filed the complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, focusing on his alleged links with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- What
- More than 100,000 people called for a FIFA ethics investigation into alleged abuses of power, political-neutrality breaches and loyalty violations.
- Where
- The complaint was submitted to FIFA’s Ethics Committee.
- When
- The follow-up complaint was filed on Tuesday, after an initial complaint submitted on December 12 and events surrounding the World Cup that finished in July.
- Why
- FairSquare says Infantino may have breached FIFA’s ethics code through his dealings with Trump, the handling of a red-card review and governance decisions.
FairSquare’s allegations
Infantino and FIFA’s reported position
Dealings with Donald Trump
FairSquare’s allegations
FairSquare alleges that Infantino breached FIFA’s political-neutrality and loyalty obligations while trying to strengthen his relationship with Trump.
Infantino and FIFA’s reported position
Infantino remains committed to seeking re-election; the report does not include a direct response from him or FIFA to these allegations.
World Cup red-card intervention
FairSquare’s allegations
FairSquare cites Trump contacting Infantino during the World Cup to ask for a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card, which was later suspended.
Infantino and FIFA’s reported position
The report does not state that Infantino or FIFA publicly accepted or rejected FairSquare’s interpretation of the incident.
FIFA governance and term limits
FairSquare’s allegations
FairSquare alleges that Infantino unilaterally created the FIFA Peace Prize, pursued a private-equity proposal outside normal governance processes and may be ineligible for another term because of the three-term limit.
Infantino and FIFA’s reported position
Infantino successfully argued in 2022 that his initial period in office after his 2016 election should not count toward the limit because it completed an interrupted mandate.
Key facts
- Signatories
- More than 100,000 people
- Complainant
- FairSquare and its Reboot FIFA campaign
- Target
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino
- Main allegation
- Possible abuse of power and breaches of political neutrality and loyalty obligations
- FIFA response
- FIFA had not commented at the time of the report
- Earlier complaint
- Acknowledged by FIFA’s Ethics Committee on December 12, with no update since, according to FairSquare
- Requested sanction
- FairSquare wants Infantino banned from football activities for two years
- Election status
- Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president in March, with no credible challenger reported
Quotes
Nicholas McGeehan
Director of FairSquare
“But this complaint is about a lot more than Infantino. Really, for us, it's about demonstrating to the policymakers who should be scrutinising Fifa's conduct and its governance that the organization is incapable of regulating itself.”
telegraphindia.com
“The allegations are a lot more serious. We now have this public and political concern and we felt it was time to again put pressure on the Fifa Ethics Committee and really lay down the gauntlet to them.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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