FIFA ethics complaint over Infantino’s peace prize to Trump

FIFA ethics complaint targets Gianni Infantino for awarding a peace prize to Donald Trump, raising concerns about political neutrality and governance.

Select 79 more words to run Humanizer. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is under growing scrutiny after presenting former United States President Donald Trump with FIFA’s first-ever “Peace Prize,” a move that has sparked accusations of violating the organisation’s long-standing rules on political neutrality.

Rights Group Calls Move a Breach of FIFA Ethics

The human rights organisation FairSquare has filed a formal complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee, arguing that the governing body’s leadership acted outside its mandate by awarding a politically sensitive honour to a sitting political figure.

According to FairSquare, the decision contradicts FIFA’s duty to remain neutral in global political affairs. The group stressed that presenting the prize to Trump during the December 6 draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington, DC, demonstrates a troubling disregard for FIFA’s own regulations.

Concerns Over Infantino’s Power and Governance Style

Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare’s programme director, said the issue goes far beyond Infantino’s praise of Trump. He pointed to deeper problems within FIFA’s governance system, claiming that its structure allows the president to take unilateral actions without sufficient oversight.

McGeehan described Infantino’s decision as a “dangerous” use of authority that undermines trust in the organisation and could damage the reputation of global football.

FairSquare’s eight-page complaint states that awarding a peace prize to an active political leader “clearly violates FIFA’s neutrality standards” and should be treated as a serious abuse of power if done without formal approval.

Infantino’s Social Media Support Adds More Controversy

The complaint also highlights Infantino’s earlier public campaign urging the Nobel Prize committee to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Critics argue that such political endorsements are inappropriate for the head of a global sports body meant to remain impartial.

Human Rights Groups Also Raise Objections

Human Rights Watch echoed the criticism, pointing out that Trump’s record on human rights does not align with the spirit of a peace-focused award. The organisation argued that the prize contradicts FIFA’s messaging on peace and unity.

Uncertain Whether FIFA Will Take Action

Although FIFA’s ethics committee has the authority to issue warnings, fines, training orders, and even bans from football-related activities, it is unclear whether the committee will pursue the matter. FIFA stated that it does not comment on potential or ongoing investigations, and Infantino has not yet responded publicly.

Observers note that FIFA’s ethics panel, restructured in recent years, is often viewed as less independent than the committee that oversaw the removal of former president Sepp Blatter.

Trump Takes Center Stage During World Cup Draw

Trump attended the 2026 World Cup draw alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Despite the presence of multiple leaders, he received the most attention during the ceremony.

Infantino presented Trump with a gold trophy, medal, and certificate, proclaiming, “This is your peace prize.” FIFA also showcased a video highlighting Trump’s involvement in various peace-related initiatives, further intensifying criticism.