IOC says Infantino complaint outside its scope

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that the International Olympic Committee will not open an investigation into Fifa president Gianni Infantino after a complaint by human rights group FairSquare. The group had argued that Infantino may have breached Olympic Charter requirements on political neutrality through alleged expressions of support for US President Donald Trump. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

According to the BBC, the issue arose after Trump said during the World Cup that he had called Infantino to request a review of a red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Balogun had been set to miss the last-16 match against Belgium, but his one-match suspension was later suspended for 12 months under a rule allowing punishments to be deferred. The report said no further reason was provided. Balogun played in the match, which Belgium won 4-1.

The IOC said the complaint was beyond the remit of its ethics commission because it concerned Fifa’s governance, its dealings with governments and its application of football rules, rather than matters covered by the IOC ethics code. The relevant Olympic Charter provision cited in the article says IOC members must not accept instructions from governments or other parties that could interfere with their independent action or vote.

The BBC also reported that the Norwegian Football Federation is weighing whether to file a formal complaint with Fifa’s ethics committee over the Balogun suspension decision. NFF president Lise Klaveness told the BBC the federation had reacted with “strong concern” and would decide at its next board meeting. Fifa was contacted for comment, according to the report.