Gianni Infantino faces criticism after Donald Trump awarded the peace prize
Gianni Infantino has been accused of breaking Fifa’s own rules after Donald Trump was awarded the peace prize during last Friday’s World Cup draw ceremony, reports BritPanorama.
A campaign group has lodged a formal complaint with Fifa’s ethics committee, accusing President Gianni Infantino of repeatedly violating the governing body’s political neutrality obligations.
FairSquare, which gained prominence as a vocal critic during the Qatar 2022 tournament, submitted an eight-page letter outlining four separate alleged breaches by Infantino. The non-profit organisation argues that bestowing such an honour upon a sitting political leader represents a “clear breach of Fifa’s duty of neutrality”.
The letter added: “The Fifa president does not have the authority to unilaterally dictate the organisation’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values.”
The complaint specifically highlights Infantino’s public declaration in October that Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize, which he posted on his Instagram account. During an appearance at the American Business Forum in Miami last month, Infantino stated: “We should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the US] because I think it’s looking pretty good.”
FairSquare’s submission also references an Instagram video from January, following Infantino’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration. They claim that this attendance demonstrates backing for the president’s political agenda.
The organisation has requested an investigation into how the peace prize was established and whether its creation adhered to Fifa’s procedural regulations. Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare’s programme director, stated: “This complaint is about a lot more than Infantino’s support for President Donald Trump’s political agenda. More broadly this is about how Fifa’s absurd governance structure has allowed Gianni Infantino to openly flout the organisation’s rules and act in ways that are both dangerous and directly contrary to the interests of the world’s most popular sport.”
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has intensified ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The US President received the award from Fifa, recognising individuals who have made “exceptional contributions to peace and unity”.
Gianni Infantino praised President Trump’s role in the Middle East peace negotiations while the US is also working to bring an end to the conflict sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a speech that lasted exactly two minutes, Trump described the award as “[one of] the great honours of my life.”
In the same address, he lauded the cooperation between the US, Mexico, and Canada, conveying enthusiasm for the organisers. Infantino’s remarks further highlighted the complex interplay of sport and politics, underlining how sporting events can serve as a backdrop for significant geopolitical narratives.
As the October days grow shorter, the growth of this story serves as a reminder of how interwoven the worlds of football and global politics remain.
