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Gianni Infantino under fire as viral claims drag European Parliament into FIFA row
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces a complaint to the IOC over alleged political neutrality breaches, while a letter from 72 MEPs challenges FIFA's reversal of a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun. Rights group FairSquare alleges Infantino's support for Trump and the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize breached ethics rules.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny after a rights group said it would file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alleging he breached political neutrality rules through his support for US President Donald Trump. Separately, 72 Members of the European Parliament have urged EU national football associations to seek a formal FIFA review into the controversial reversal of a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
Coverage Comparison
Three outlets — ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and France 24 — have reported on the developments, with differing emphases. ABC Australia focused on the complaint filed with the IOC and Infantino's relationship with Trump, framing the episode as putting him "in hot water." Al Jazeera highlighted the breach of political neutrality rules, quoting FairSquare's accusation of an "egregious abuse of power." France 24, in contrast, emphasized that viral claims about a European Parliament probe were incorrect, clarifying that the move came from a letter by 72 MEPs rather than the institution itself.
Key Claims
FairSquare, a London-based sports and human rights NGO, said it would file a complaint with the IOC regarding Infantino's "repeated breach of political neutrality rules," according to ABC Australia and Al Jazeera.
The complaint references Infantino's support for Trump and the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to Trump at the World Cup 2026 Final Draw in December 2025, as reported by Al Jazeera.
FIFA suspended the one-match ban given to US forward Folarin Balogun after Trump said he had contacted Infantino about the incident, a claim carried by ABC Australia and France 24. Infantino confirmed speaking with Trump but denied any role in the disciplinary decision, which FIFA said was taken by independent bodies, according to France 24.
A letter dated 8 July, signed by 72 MEPs, was sent to the presidents of the 27 EU national football associations, urging them to seek a formal FIFA review into the Balogun red card reversal, as reported by France 24. No probe has been opened by the European Parliament.
The Norwegian Football Federation has formally backed an official complaint against Infantino, according to Al Jazeera. Additionally, Al Jazeera reported that 50 MEPs wrote to FIFA's Ethics Committee expressing support for the complaint.
FairSquare had previously filed a complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December 2025, citing instances where Infantino "expressed his public support for the actions and policies" of Trump, and requesting an investigation into the Peace Prize decision, as detailed by Al Jazeera.
How each outlet told it
ABC Australia
Framing: Complaint filed against Infantino — Critical
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Claim
Confidence
Status
Claim72 MEPs sent a letter to EU football associations, urging them to seek a formal FIFA review into the Balogun red card reversal.