An international human rights group has accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of violating the organisation’s political neutrality rules after FIFA awarded its first-ever Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Eko Hot News reports that FairSquare, a London-based rights group, filed an eight-page complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, arguing that the decision breached FIFA’s statutes on political neutrality and proper governance.
FairSquare stated that giving such an award to a sitting political leader is a direct violation of FIFA’s neutrality obligations. The group added that if Infantino acted without official approval, it could amount to an abuse of power.
FIFA’s ethics regulations mandate neutrality in political matters, with violations potentially resulting in a two-year ban from the sport.
Infantino presented the award to Trump at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11 in North America.
The complaint also referenced Infantino’s attendance at Trump’s 2017 inauguration, describing it as a signal of political alignment.
FairSquare program director Nicholas McGeehan said the issue extends beyond Trump, stressing that FIFA’s governance structure allows Infantino to ignore established rules and act in ways harmful to global football.
