Complaint don reach International Olympic Committee (IOC) wey dey accuse FIFA president Gianni Infantino say im break rules on political neutrality for im dealings with President Donald Trump.
Human rights nonprofit FairSquare say Infantino, wey become IOC member for 2020, don repeatedly break Olympic Charter and IOC code of ethics. Di latest matter na im handling of Folarin Balogun affair.
FIFA disciplinary committee suspend di one-match ban for di US striker, wey free am to play for World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. Dat one follow phone call from Trump to Infantino, but Infantino dey insist say FIFA committees dey independent completely.
News of di complaint come after ESPN report say dozens of European lawmakers dey gather support to launch investigation of FIFA boss for European Parliament.
IOC dey cite neutrality among ‘fundamental principles of Olympism’ for sports bodies like FIFA, and e get jurisdiction over Infantino since im join di exclusive group of 100-plus invited members for 2020.
Sources tell ESPN say as first reported by The Times, disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali make di key decision to suspend di ban alone. Im never be sole arbiter for any published previous disciplinary cases.
FIFA no offer any explanation why dem suspend di ban.
FairSquare complaint to IOC Ethics Commission allege five clear breaches of IOC rules on political neutrality, plus ‘prima facie’ evidence of two further serious breaches – including handling of Balogun case.
FairSquare for statement say ‘Gianni Infantino don repeatedly breach IOC rules on political neutrality by offering im political support for President of United States, Donald Trump.’
Di evidence suggest say Infantino commit five clear breaches of IOC rules on political neutrality through statements or other clear expressions of support for US President.
Dem also provide prima facie evidence of two further serious breaches wey dem request IOC to investigate. Di first one relate to possible acquiescence to political pressure from President Trump to circumvent FIFA on-field disciplinary rules during 2026 men World Cup.
Di second one relate to Infantino promotion of FIFA fan site for 2026 men World Cup, wey appear to be part of data-harvesting campaign run by entities linked to President Trump.
For December, FairSquare make similar complaint to FIFA ethics committee. FairSquare say dem receive acknowledgement say dem receive complaint but no get any further information.
Norwegian football federation write to FIFA ethics committee last month requesting dem consider FairSquare complaint. Fifty members of European Parliament write to same committee on June 29 urging am to address FairSquare complaint.
FIFA and IOC dem contact for comment.
