Balogun red-card row: FIFA prez Infantino faces IOC ethics complaint over Trump lobbying

The controversy surrounding FIFA's unprecedented decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension has taken another dramatic turn, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino facing a formal ethics complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over alleged breaches of political neutrality.London-based sports and human rights organisation FairSquare announced on Wednesday that it would refer Infantino to the IOC Ethics Commission, arguing that his conduct during the Balogun affair raises serious questions over FIFA's independence after US President Donald Trump publicly claimed credit for the decision. The complaint comes days after FIFA overturned Balogun's automatic one-match suspension following direct lobbying from the Trump administration, allowing the United States forward to feature against Belgium despite being sent off in the previous round. The move was widely viewed as unprecedented in modern FIFA World Cup history.Belgium, seemingly galvanized by the controversy, went on to beat the United States 4-1 in Seattle, but the debate over FIFA's intervention has refused to fade.IOC complaint puts Infantino under fresh scrutinyFairSquare said it would formally ask the IOC Ethics Commission to investigate whether Infantino violated the Olympic movement's principle of political neutrality."FairSquare will file a complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's repeated breach of political neutrality rules," the organisation said in a statement.The IOC lists political neutrality among the "fundamental principles of Olympism," and the body has jurisdiction over Infantino because he has been an IOC member since 2020.The latest complaint comes just a day after IOC president Kirsty Coventry confirmed that no formal ethics complaint had yet been received but made it clear the matter would be examined if one was filed."Obviously if they do, they would look into it," Coventry said while acknowledging the Olympic body's awareness of the controversy surrounding the World Cup co-host nation.Balogun saga and Infantino's Trump ties remain under spotlightThe Balogun controversy erupted after Trump publicly celebrated FIFA's decision to lift the striker's suspension, claiming credit for persuading football's governing body to reverse its stance.The episode has renewed scrutiny of Infantino's close relationship with the US president. Since the United States, Canada and Mexico secured hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup, Infantino has cultivated strong ties with Trump and has become a frequent visitor to the White House since Trump's return to office in January 2025.The FIFA chief also presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington last December, a move that reportedly surprised several senior football officials.The IOC complaint follows an earlier ethics case lodged with FIFA in December by FairSquare over Infantino's alleged political neutrality breaches. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.