FIFA president faces backlash after endorsing Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been accused of violating neutrality rules following his public endorsement of Donald Trump’s political programme during an event in Miami, reports BritPanorama.
Infantino made his remarks at the American Business Forum on Wednesday, where he expressed support for Trump, prompting criticisms that his statements contravene FIFA’s requirements for political impartiality.
A former senior FIFA official has denounced Infantino’s comments as a “clear violation” of the organisation’s code of ethics, which mandates neutrality in political and religious matters. The controversy revolves around Infantino’s direct call for backing Trump’s policies while speaking in his official capacity.
Speaking on Trump at the Miami event, Infantino stated: “We have a great relationship. I’m really lucky. I have a great relationship with President Trump, where I consider him a really close friend.” His comments escalated when he said, “He is just implementing what he said he would do. So I think we should all support what he’s doing because I think it’s looking pretty good.”
Miguel Maduro, who led FIFA’s governance committee from 2016 to 2017, emphasised that Infantino’s remarks go beyond recognising Trump’s electoral legitimacy by actively endorsing his political agenda. Maduro noted, “The final part of his statement does more than recognising the legitimacy of President Trump; it endorses his political programme and actions and argues others should support them too.”
FIFA’s regulations clearly state that the organisation “remains neutral in matters of politics and religion,” with exceptions allowed only for issues directly concerning FIFA’s statutory objectives. Potential breaches of these rules could result in investigations by FIFA’s Ethics Committee, with sanctions ranging from warnings to prohibitions on participating in football-related activities.
The backdrop to this controversy includes FIFA’s recent announcement of a new Peace Prize initiative, with Infantino indicating that Trump might be a candidate for the award in Washington next month. This development coincides with the upcoming draw for the 2026 World Cup, to be held at the Kennedy Centre on December 5.
The intersection of sports and politics, particularly in remarks as provocative as those made by Infantino, serves as a reminder that the roles of leaders within global organisations can often blur the lines of neutrality. Such moments continually provoke debate on the responsibilities leaders bear in upholding the values of their organisations while navigating the complex political landscape around them.
