Complaint Filed Against FIFA President After Peace Prize Presented To President Donald Trump

A London-based organization has filed a complaint with FIFA’s ethics investigators alleging that FIFA President Gianni Infantino violated the sport’s political neutrality rules when he awarded President Donald Trump the organization’s inaugural Peace Prize during last week’s World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.

The group, FairSquare, submitted an eight-page filing claiming Infantino committed “four clear breaches” of Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which requires officials to remain politically neutral in dealings with government institutions and political leaders. The provision allows for a minimum fine of CHF 10,000 and a ban from football activities for up to two years.

FIFA’s ethics committee does not comment on potential or ongoing cases and did not confirm receipt of the complaint, the Associated Press reported.

Four Alleged Breaches Outlined in the Complaint

The filing lists four examples that FairSquare argues show Infantino publicly promoting President Trump. These examples are allegations, not independently verified by the Associated Press.

According to the complaint:

• An Oct. 9 Instagram post in which Infantino allegedly wrote that President Donald J. Trump “definitely deserves the Nobel prize” for his actions related to the Gaza ceasefire.
• The Dec. 5 presentation of the first FIFA Peace Prize to Trump at the Kennedy Center, which the organization argues is itself a breach of neutrality.
• A FIFA-produced video shown during the World Cup draw that the complaint claims portrayed Trump’s foreign policy efforts favorably.
• Additional public statements, including a Nov. 5 appearance where Infantino allegedly called Trump a “really close friend” and urged support for his agenda, and a Jan. 20 video in which he allegedly said, “Together we will not only make America great again but also the entire world.”

FairSquare has previously submitted complaints to FIFA regarding other governance and political matters.

DX Previously Reported on the Prize Presentation

As The Dallas Expressreported on December 6, Infantino publicly praised Trump’s efforts to promote peace “around the world” while presenting the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw event. Trump described receiving the award as “one of the great honors of my life,” according to the Associated Press.

The presentation took place at the Kennedy Center during a high-profile ceremony featuring entertainers, world football figures, and leaders from the United States, Mexico, and Canada — the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to generate more than $10 billion for FIFA.

Neutrality Rule Examined

Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics states that officials must “remain politically neutral” in dealings with government institutions and organizations and act in a manner consistent with their role and integrity.

Although the complaint urges sanctions, the decision to open any investigation rests with FIFA’s ethics bodies, and it remains unclear whether they will take up the case.