FairSquare Files Ethics Complaints Against FIFA President Over Trump Peace Prize
Updated (2 articles)
Complaint Filed by Human‑Rights Group on December 10 London‑based FairSquare submitted formal complaints to FIFA’s ethics investigators on Tuesday, December 10, 2025, accusing President Gianni Infantino of violating FIFA’s duty of political neutrality by publicly supporting former U.S. President Donald Trump and creating an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize for him [1][2]. The letter alleges four specific breaches, including awarding a prize to a sitting political leader and acting unilaterally without statutory authority [1][2]. FairSquare argues the actions constitute an “egregious abuse of power” under FIFA’s governance rules [1].
Trump Peace Prize Presented at World Cup Draw The inaugural FIFA Peace Prize was awarded to Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center on the weekend preceding the complaint [2]. Infantino presented Trump with a medal and certificate, linking the honor to the upcoming tournament co‑hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026 [2]. Earlier, Infantino had posted on Instagram in October that Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize and reiterated support at the American Business Forum in Miami in November [2][1].
FIFA Ethics Committee’s Mixed Signals The FIFA ethics committee has not issued a public comment and reportedly “remains silent” on the matter, according to the AP report [1]. Conversely, the BBC notes that the committee has been asked to launch an ethics probe after reviewing FairSquare’s letter [2]. This discrepancy highlights uncertainty about whether an official investigation has formally begun or is still pending internal deliberation.
Potential Sanctions and World Cup Implications FIFA’s ethics code permits sanctions up to a two‑year ban for breaches of political neutrality, though it is unclear if Infantino will face such measures [1]. The controversy emerges as Infantino aligns soccer with U.S. governmental interests ahead of the 2026 World Cup, raising concerns about the tournament’s political neutrality and governance [1]. Stakeholders are watching the outcome to gauge impacts on FIFA’s credibility and the smooth execution of the 2026 event [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: FairSquare Files Complaints Against FIFA President Over Trump Support and Peace Prize – Details the filing date, specific allegations, and FIFA ethics committee’s silence, emphasizing potential two‑year bans .
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BBC: Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award – Highlights the award ceremony, Infantino’s public endorsements, and notes that an ethics probe has been requested, though FIFA has not commented .
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Timeline
Oct 2025 – Infantino posts on Instagram that former President Donald Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize, a public endorsement that sparks questions about FIFA’s political neutrality [1].
Nov 2025 – Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, Infantino says “we should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the US] because I think it’s looking pretty good,” further aligning FIFA with U.S. political leadership ahead of the 2026 World Cup [1].
Early Dec 2025 (World Cup draw week) – At the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, Infantino presents Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, awarding a medal and certificate in a ceremony later cited as a breach of FIFA’s neutrality duty [1].
Dec 9, 2025 – London‑based human‑rights nonprofit FairSquare files formal complaints with FIFA’s ethics investigators, alleging multiple neutrality breaches by Infantino for creating and awarding the peace prize and for acting unilaterally without statutory authority [2].
Dec 10, 2025 – FIFA’s ethics committee announces it will probe Infantino for potential violations of the organization’s neutrality rules, noting that the ethics code allows sanctions of up to a two‑year ban for such breaches [1][2].
2026 (June 11 – July 19, 2026) – The FIFA World Cup is set to be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, providing the broader political and economic backdrop for the controversy over FIFA’s alignment with the U.S. government [1].