Formal complaint filed against FIFA president for exceeding his authority at the World Cup

A week after the World Cup final, a London-based human rights organization filed a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging that his intervention at Donald Trump's request to overturn Florian Balogun's red card constitutes a violation of political neutrality. The IOC dismissed the complaint, stating the matter is outside its jurisdiction.

A week after the World Cup final, the controversy surrounding the cancellation of Florian Balogun's red card following Donald Trump's appeal to Infantino continues to roil the football world. A London-based human rights organization filed a formal complaint with the ethics committee of the International Olympic Committee, where Infantino serves as a member, alleging a serious breach of political neutrality and integrity. The complaint claims that Infantino's intervention in favor of Trump's request, along with public statements and gestures of support for the American president, constitutes a severe violation of the Olympic Charter. However, the IOC announced it would not investigate the case, having determined that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction, as the complaint concerns internal managerial decisions of FIFA as an independent sports federation. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Football Federation announced its intention to file a separate complaint within FIFA, arguing that circumventing the rules due to external pressure endangers the foundations of the game and sportsmanship.