The International Olympic Committee will not investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino over allegations that he breached Olympic rules on political neutrality in his dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Human rights group FairSquare submitted a complaint to the IOC earlier this month that referenced FIFA’s decision to defer a one-match World Cup suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun after Trump personally asked Infantino to review the red card.
Balogun had been sent off in the Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, drawing widespread criticism that the dismissal was harsh. FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the automatic ban on July 5, allowing the Monaco forward, the Americans’ leading scorer with three goals, to face Belgium.
Trump later confirmed he had lobbied Infantino, praising the outcome as the reversal of an injustice. FIFA maintained its committees acted independently.
An IOC spokesperson said the ethics commission thoroughly analyzed the complaint and determined it lacked jurisdiction. Under the Olympic Charter, international federations maintain independence in governance. The IOC Code of Ethics applies to relations with the IOC itself, not to an IF’s internal decisions, management, government relations or implementation of its sporting rules.
FairSquare was informed of the finding. Separately, the group had filed a related complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee in December regarding Infantino’s public support for Trump and the awarding of a FIFA Peace Prize to the president.
The Balogun episode drew sharp criticism from UEFA, which called the decision unprecedented and unjustifiable.
