FIFA Chief Dragged Into Ethics Row After Trump’s Balogun Influence
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing mounting scrutiny after a sports and human rights organisation announced plans to file an ethics complaint over his handling of the controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun.
The London-based NGO, FairSquare, said it would submit a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Ethics Commission.
It alleged that Infantino breached the principle of political neutrality following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump influenced FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun play against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the Americans’ previous match.
The controversial decision sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning whether political pressure had influenced football’s governing body. Belgium went on to defeat the United States 4-1 in Seattle.
FairSquare argued that Infantino, who has been a member of the IOC since 2020, is bound by the Olympic body’s ethical standards, which place a strong emphasis on political neutrality for sports administrators.
The group’s announcement came a day after IOC President Kirsty Coventry confirmed that no formal complaint had yet been received but said the Ethics Commission would review any submission made.
Speaking during an online media briefing, Coventry said the IOC had been closely monitoring developments surrounding the Balogun controversy, including reports of lobbying by the Trump administration.
The incident has reignited debate over political interference in international sport, particularly as the United States prepares to host major global sporting events, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
If accepted, the complaint could place Infantino under formal ethics scrutiny and further intensify questions about FIFA’s independence in decision-making.
