FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused of breaching ethical standards after awarding the peace prize to Donald Trump

A global advocacy group has filed a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, citing a lack of impartiality by the body’s president, Gianni Infantino, and the political nature of last week’s World Cup draw. The Athletics reported Tuesday.

At the heart of the complaint is Infantino’s effusive praise for US President Donald Trump, as well as world football’s governing body awarding the first-of-its-kind FIFA peace prize to Trump.

FIFA, which will host the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, has always prided itself on being «neutral in matters of politics and religion.»

The Nonprofit Group Fair Squarewho filed the complaint in an eight-page letter, says he is committed to responsibility in sport regarding labor migration and political repression.

It wants FIFA’s independent committee to review the actions shown on full screen during Friday’s World Cup draw, with the spots selected for the 48 teams taking part in next summer’s tournament.

President Trump attended the ceremony, along with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. But it was Trump who received the most attention at the event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC

FIFA announced the creation of its Peace Prize last month, “to reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and thereby united people around the world.”

Infantino presented Trump with a gold trophy, a gold medal and a certificate.

“This is your prize, this is your peace prize,” Infantino told Trump.

FIFA played a video highlighting some of Trump’s peace efforts.

“He supported efforts to broker a ceasefire and promote diplomatic engagement, actions that helped create conditions for peace to take root,” FIFA said in the video.

In the complaint, FairSquare cited FIFA’s own standards of neutrality to «remain politically neutral … when dealing with government institutions.» The group also pointed to Infantino’s lobbying on social media earlier this year for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Venezuelan Maria Corina Machado eventually received the Nobel Peace Prize.

It was one of several violations of ethics and betrayals of neutrality referenced in the complaint.

Disciplinary action from FIFA’s Ethics Committee can include a warning, a reprimand and even a fine. Compliance training can be ordered, but a ban on participation in football-related activities can also be imposed.

Published on December 10, 2025