FIFA’s Ethics Committee has received an official complaint regarding its inaugural peace award for President Donald Trump and allegations that the organization’s leader, Gianni Infantino, violated the organization’s political neutrality, according to reports on Tuesday.
The nonprofit FairSquare submitted an eight-page letter to FIFA’s ethics committee on Monday, requesting an investigation into the process behind Trump’s award decision, The Athletic reported. The nonprofit and advocacy group focuses on labor migration rights, political repression and sports.
The letter indicated that FIFA should have a “functional and diplomatic relationship” with the American government, as the upcoming men’s World Cup is slated to be in the United States.
The complaint argues that Infantino breached his role and effectively had a “very clear political position.” Infantino has frequently visited the White House and even appeared at the president’s peace summit in Egypt.
The sport boss has been vocal about his support for the president and made multiple comments of praise while giving him the award at the World Cup draw on Friday at the Kennedy Center.
The organization said that “any reasonable interpretation of Mr Infantino’s comments would conclude that he a) encouraged people to support the political agenda of President Trump, and b) expressed his personal approval of President Trump’s political agenda.”
“This constitutes a clear personal endorsement of President Trump’s foreign policy in numerous countries and ongoing armed conflicts. Statements of this nature breach the duty of neutrality outlined in Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” according to the letter.
The group has asked for more information about the circumstances that led to Trump’s inaugural prize.
“Mr Infantino’s engagement with President Trump must be underpinned by and in conformity with his duty of neutrality, which requires that he be non-partisan and impartial on matters of US domestic and foreign policy, unless speaking about issues that invoke FIFA’s own legal or human rights responsibilities. In offering clear support for President Trump’s political agenda at home and abroad, Mr Infantino has breached that duty, and done so in a way that poses a clear threat to the integrity and reputation of football and of FIFA itself.”
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