IOC rules out action over Infantino after human rights complaint on Trump links dismissed

The International Olympic Committee has declined to investigate Fifa president Gianni Infantino over alleged political bias, ruling that a complaint from human rights group FairSquare falls outside the remit of its ethics body.

FairSquare had accused Infantino of repeatedly breaching rules on political neutrality through public support for the actions and policies of United States president Donald Trump, and had asked the IOC ethics commission to examine his conduct.

An IOC spokesperson said on Friday that the ethics commission had completed its review and concluded it had no authority to proceed with the case.

“The IOC ethics commission thoroughly analysed the complaint by FairSquare,” the spokesperson said.

They added that the commission determined the issues raised related to how Fifa runs its own affairs and applies its own rules, rather than matters covered by the Olympic body’s code.

“The IOC ethics commission noted that the current complaint, including with regard to the Fifa president, refers only to the IF’s [international federation] decisions on its governance and its management, including its relations with government, and to the IF’s implementation of the rules of its sport, which are both outside the scope of application of the IOC code of ethics.

“The complaint falls outside the IOC ethics commission’s jurisdiction. FairSquare has been informed accordingly,” the spokesperson said.

FairSquare campaign moves beyond Fifa

The decision is the latest stage in a long-running push by FairSquare to challenge Infantino’s conduct through global sports governance structures.

The organisation, which works on human rights in sport, had already submitted a formal complaint to Fifa’s own ethics committee last year. In that filing, it alleged that Infantino had, on several occasions, publicly endorsed Trump’s policies and actions, in breach of Fifa and Olympic requirements that senior officials remain politically neutral.

FairSquare’s move to involve the IOC reflected Infantino’s status not only as head of world football’s governing body but also as a member of the Olympic movement. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

With the IOC now ruling the matter outside its jurisdiction, FairSquare’s efforts remain focused on Fifa’s internal mechanisms, which have themselves been a target of the group’s criticism.

Trump appearances at World Cup under scrutiny

Infantino’s relationship with Trump, and their public appearances together, form a central part of FairSquare’s concerns.

During this year’s World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, Trump was at the centre of several contentious episodes.

The most high-profile moment came at the final, when Trump and Infantino walked onto the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium for the trophy presentation. Their appearance was met with boos from sections of the crowd.

Trump later revealed that earlier in the tournament he had personally telephoned Infantino to ask him to reconsider a red card given to United States striker Folarin Balogun in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun’s dismissal initially meant he was suspended for the last-16 tie against Belgium. However, he was subsequently cleared to play in that match, which the US lost 4-1.

Fifa ‘peace prize’ adds to controversy

Trump’s involvement in Fifa-related events extended beyond the World Cup itself.

In December, he received Fifa’s inaugural “peace prize” in recognition of what the organisation described as his efforts to encourage dialogue and reduce tensions in several major global conflict zones.

The award, and Infantino’s visible proximity to the US president around the tournament, have fuelled debate over the boundaries between sport and politics, and provided the backdrop for FairSquare’s complaints about alleged violations of neutrality rules.

The IOC, however, has now made clear that any assessment of Infantino’s actions as Fifa president must be handled within football’s own governance structures rather than through the Olympic ethics framework.