The International Olympic Committee (IOC) received a complaint on July 14, 2026, from the watchdog group FairSquare. The complaint alleges that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has breached IOC rules on political neutrality by expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump. FairSquare cites five instances where Infantino allegedly failed to maintain political neutrality, which is required by the Olympic Charter.
The complaint follows a recent incident where Trump intervened to overturn a red card issued to U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The FIFA referee had issued the red card after a collision, but FIFA later overturned the decision, allowing Balogun to play in a match against Belgium. Trump claimed credit for initiating the review of the red card during a call with Infantino.
FairSquare argues that if Infantino acted at Trump's request, it would represent a serious violation of IOC rules and the principle of fair play. The report also mentions that Campaign Nucleus, a company linked to Trump's 2020 campaign manager, obtained contact information from spectators of a World Cup watch party on the National Mall. Infantino is set to stand for reelection in 2027, and while he has not publicly criticized Trump, there were concerns about potential repercussions for Democrat-led cities regarding World Cup matches. FairSquare filed a complaint with FIFA in December 2025, and the Washington Examiner has reached out to FIFA for comment.