FIFA World Cup and Olympics cited as Coe warns of politicians near sport

What the report says

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe used comments at the European championships to warn that governments should stay involved in sport without controlling it, as attention turns to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and broader debates about political pressure in major events. Al Jazeera, citing Associated Press reporting, said Coe argued that sports bodies need working relationships with public authorities, but must remain resilient when leaders try to influence sporting decisions.

The remarks came against the backdrop of criticism of FIFA after a red-card suspension involving U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was overturned following a call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Coe said such incidents underline the need for strong governance and clear decision-making inside sporting organizations. He also noted that private investment is already a significant part of modern sport and said athletics federations may need external revenue sources, provided there are proper checks, transparency and consultation.

Coe, a former Olympic champion and organizer of the London 2012 Games, said major events still depend on effective ties with government departments, but insisted politics should not sit in the driver’s seat. He also said he plans to attend the Court of Arbitration for Sport to defend World Athletics’ ban on Russian athletes. The federation has kept its restrictions in place despite the International Olympic Committee easing some limits on Russian participation, citing concerns about competitive integrity and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.