Rights group accuses FIFA of breaching neutrality by awarding Trump peace prize

FairSquare, a human rights organisation, has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA's ethics committee, alleging that the global football governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, violated his obligation to remain neutral by endorsing United States President Donald Trump.

During the draw for the 2026 World Cup on December 6, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July, Infantino presented Trump with FIFA's first ever peace prize.

The organisation also described FIFA's governance framework as ridiculous and argued that the body's actions undermine the shared goals of the international football community, according to the complaint submitted on Monday.

This matter extends far beyond Infantino's backing of President Donald Trump's political positions, explained Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare's programme director.

On a larger scale, it concerns how FIFA's flawed governance system has enabled Gianni Infantino to blatantly disregard the organisation's regulations and engage in conduct that poses risks while opposing the needs of the planet's favourite sport.

The complaint from FairSquare asserts that granting the peace prize to an active political leader constitutes a direct violation of article 15 in FIFA's code of ethics.

Additionally, they urged the ethics committee to examine Infantino's role in developing the FIFA Peace Prize and the choice to give it to Trump.

The non-governmental organisation also pointed out Infantino's October appeal for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, along with three other instances where the Swiss official expressed support for Trump's political objectives.

FIFA, when approached by AFP, acknowledged receipt of the complaint but offered no additional remarks.