IOC declines investigation of FIFA president Infantino

The International Olympic Committee has declined to investigate FIFA President Gianni Infantino over allegations he breached rules on political neutrality through his dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The IOC's ethics commission determined it lacked jurisdiction, concluding the complaint centered on FIFA's internal governance and was outside the scope of Olympic ethics rules.

The decision, announced on July 24, 2026, follows a formal complaint submitted earlier in July by the human rights organization FairSquare. The complaint referenced FIFA's controversial decision to suspend a one-match ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun after Trump personally asked Infantino to review a red card issued during the tournament. In a detailed statement, an IOC spokesperson explained that each international sports federation maintains independence in its governance, and the IOC's code of ethics applies only to their relations with the Olympic body itself. The commission therefore found the complaint fell outside its jurisdiction, and FairSquare has been informed.

FairSquare criticized the IOC's decision as absurd, stating it would add impetus to calls for...