FIFA chief faces IOC ethics probe over Trump-influenced red card reversal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces a potential International Olympic Committee ethics investigation over his reversal of a suspension handed to a US soccer player.

Sports and human rights organization FairSquare announced Wednesday it would file a complaint with the IOC over what it called Infantino's "repeated violations of political neutrality rules," according to AP and ESPN.

The controversy stems from the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card in an earlier match, and the subsequent intervention of President Donald Trump.

After Balogun received a suspension following the red card, Trump personally asked Infantino to review the decision — and the ban was lifted. No suspension had ever been reversed in World Cup history. The United States, however, went on to lose 4-1 to Belgium in the match Balogun played.

The IOC requires sports bodies such as FIFA to uphold political neutrality as one of the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit. Infantino, who became an IOC member in 2020, falls under the committee's jurisdiction.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, speaking at an online news conference Wednesday, said no complaint had yet been received regarding the Balogun controversy, but added that any complaint filed would be examined. She added, "We are watching all situations."

Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump since 2018, when the United States, Canada and Mexico won the right to co-host this year's World Cup. At the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., in December last year, Trump received a "FIFA Peace Prize" created by Infantino.

FairSquare had previously filed a complaint with FIFA's ethics committee in December last year over Infantino's political neutrality. Seven months on, FIFA has yet to announce any progress on the matter.