IOC rejects human rights group’s complaint against Trump ally Infantino

The International Olympic Committee has declined to proceed with a complaint filed against FIFA President Gianni Infantino by the human rights organization FairSquare. According to an IOC spokesperson, the Ethics Commission determined that the complaint, which centered on FIFA's governance decisions and management practices, lay beyond the scope of the IOC Code of Ethics and therefore outside the commission's authority.

FairSquare submitted the complaint in July, asserting that Infantino had repeatedly violated IOC rules requiring political neutrality by offering public support to US President Donald Trump. The organization cited multiple instances where Infantino appeared alongside Trump, including during the 2026 World Cup final trophy presentation ceremony in New York, where the pair received boos from the stadium crowd.

The complaint also referenced Trump's claim that he had contacted Infantino during the tournament to request a review of a red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun. FairSquare had previously filed a separate complaint with FIFA's own Ethics Committee on similar grounds. In December, Trump received FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize, which Infantino presented, citing the US president's efforts in promoting dialogue on global conflicts.