Gianni Infantino faces possible US congressional summons over Trump links

Investigations into FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s relationship with US President Donald Trump have intensified, with congressional officials considering whether to compel him to give evidence in the coming weeks.

Senior FIFA officials told The Telegraph, speaking anonymously, that Infantino could receive legal demands to testify from January.

The prospect follows the Democrats’ decisive victory in last week’s midterm elections, which gave them control of the US House of Representatives. It could leave Infantino facing demands for documents and evidence that may prove embarrassing as he campaigns to retain the FIFA presidency at elections scheduled for March.

The powerful House Judiciary Committee began examining Infantino’s links with Trump in July. Jamie Raskin, the committee’s leading Democrat, is now reviewing several further controversies which have emerged, according to sources quoted by The Telegraph.

Among the issues under scrutiny is a report that Infantino asked Carlos Cordeiro, a key intermediary in his dealings with Trump, to help secure a work permit for an immigrant domestic worker employed at his luxury home in Miami.

The committee has requested documents relating to the allegation. FIFA denies any wrongdoing. Critics say the matter requires closer examination to establish whether any laws were breached, including possible misuse of funds belonging to a non-profit organisation or FIFA assets.

Tax authorities were also alerted after documents suggested the worker had appeared on FIFA’s payroll in the Americas.

FIFA said Infantino had personally paid the worker’s costs. In a statement, it said: “Matters relating to the personal and household life of the FIFA president are private, but to avoid any doubt, the FIFA president personally covers the costs of any domestic staff.”

The organisation added that it “strongly rejects any insinuations of wrongdoing” concerning the worker’s employment conditions. The Telegraph says it knows the worker’s identity.

Infantino is already facing scrutiny over secret discussions about selling part of the World Cup rights to a company owned by the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. One source said a congressional summons for the Kushner family in January was a “strong possibility”, although Trump himself is not expected to be called at this stage.

The Democrats’ victory may allow Raskin to become chair of the Judiciary Committee in January, giving him new powers to subpoena Infantino and require the production of documents. He opened the inquiry on 26 July over concerns about financial links between FIFA, Trump and his allies.

The committee says it has not received all the material requested, including FIFA records of its communications with Trump, his administration and the Trump Organisation. In September, members accused Infantino of failing to co-operate adequately, describing his response as “woefully inadequate”. No formal subpoena had been issued, meaning there were no criminal consequences for ignoring Raskin’s request.

A committee source told The Telegraph on Tuesday: “We still have serious questions about FIFA’s practices and payments relating to the World Cup, and we have not received sufficient information from the organisation. All investigative options remain firmly on the table, although no decisions have yet been made.”

The renewed threat comes days after FIFA’s chief legal officer, Emilio Garcia Silvero, resigned following eight years under Infantino. He oversaw disciplinary matters, transfer-market regulations and worldwide contractual disputes.

FIFA said it had held “productive discussions” with committee members, was continuing to engage with them and looked forward to answering any further questions.