IOC rejects human rights group’s complaint against FIFA President Infantino

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dismissed a complaint by human rights group FairSquare against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of its Ethics Commission, as reported by Africa News and Al Jazeera.

Coverage comparison

Africa News reported that the IOC said it has no jurisdiction to investigate Infantino's alleged lack of political neutrality. The outlet noted that a London-based NGO formally complained to the IOC ethics commission about Infantino, including his role in ensuring United States forward Folarin Balogun did not serve a mandatory one-game ban despite being sent off in a previous World Cup match.

Al Jazeera reported that the IOC rejected the complaint, saying it fell outside the Ethics Commission's jurisdiction. The outlet quoted an IOC spokesperson stating that the commission thoroughly analysed the complaint but found it referred only to FIFA's decisions on governance and management, including relations with government, and implementation of sport rules, which are outside the scope of the IOC Code of Ethics.

Key claims

  • The IOC rejected a complaint by human rights group FairSquare against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying the matter fell outside the jurisdiction of its Ethics Commission, as reported by both Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • The complaint alleged Infantino breached the IOC's rules on political neutrality by supporting US President Donald Trump, as reported by both outlets.
  • Infantino has faced scrutiny over appearances alongside Trump, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Trump was involved in several controversial incidents during the World Cup, including boos ringing out at a stadium as he and Infantino walked onto the field, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020, as reported by both outlets.
  • The IOC's Olympic Charter cites neutrality among fundamental principles of Olympism, as reported by Africa News.
  • The IOC ethics body does not have independent powers to start investigations and sanction officials, but can make recommendations to the IOC executive board, as reported by Africa News.
FairSquare lodged the complaint on July 14, alleging that Infantino "repeatedly breached the IOC's rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for US President Donald Trump," according to Al Jazeera. The group said it would escalate a campaign that has already seen it challenge FIFA's ethics processes, and it also filed a complaint with FIFA's Ethics Committee last year on similar grounds.

The IOC spokesperson stated that FairSquare has been informed of the decision, as reported by Al Jazeera.