FIFA’s Infantino accused of violating neutrality over Trump support

Miguel Maduro, the former chairman of FIFA's governance committee, suggested that current FIFA president Gianni Infantino had violated the governing body's charter by recently expressing support for the president. Donald Trump.

Maduro told The Athletic that he believed Infantino had broken FIFA rules regarding political neutrality with recent comments about Trump at the American Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, with Infantino saying, “I think we should all support what he's doing because I think it looks pretty good.”

“The final part of his statement does not simply acknowledge the legitimacy of President Trump. She approves of his political program and actions and argues that others should support them too. He takes a position in the domestic political debate in the United States,” Maduro said.

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“While he can recognize the legitimacy of President Trump, he must also recognize that in a democracy others may oppose his policies. To remain politically neutral, it is necessary to not take a position in these political debates, much less argue that everyone should support President Trump's policies. Such actions appear to be a clear violation of the duty of political neutrality imposed on any FIFA official by Article 15 of the Code of Ethics.”

FIFA's Official Code of Ethics states the following regarding political neutrality:

“In their relations with government agencies, national and international organizations, associations and groups, persons bound by this Code must, in addition to respecting the fundamental rules of the art, remain politically neutral in accordance with the principles and purposes of FIFA, confederations, associations, leagues and clubs and generally act in a manner consistent with their functions and integrity.

“Violation of this article entails a corresponding fine of at least CHF 10,000, as well as a ban on participation in any football-related activity for a maximum of two years.”

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However, this section is in Article 14, not the Article 15 that Maduro mentioned.

Fox News Digital has reached out to FIFA and the White House for a response. FIFA declined to respond to The Athletic.

Trump, during his first term, befriended Infantino while securing the U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, rights to host the congress. World Cup 2026.

Shortly after the US won the hosting rights, Trump hosted Infantino at the White House. Infantino, who was also serving his first term as FIFA president, made an impression by handing Trump red and yellow penalty cards, joking that they could be used on the press.

The relationship flourished in 2020 as both men planned their futures.

During a dinner that January at the global economic summit in Davos, not far from FIFA's home in Zurich, Infantino called the US president “a great friend of mine.” Trump, always appreciative of compliments, responded by inviting Infantino to a signing event at the White House. Abraham Accordswhich sought to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries.

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Trump signed an executive order creating a White House task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Trump will serve as chairman of the task force, and Vice President J.D. Vance will serve as vice chairman.

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