Over 100,000 sign petition demanding Fifa probe into Infantino's alleged Trump ties

More than 100,000 people have signed a formal complaint urging Fifa to investigate president Gianni Infantino over suspected breaches of the governing body’s code of ethics, human rights organisation FairSquare announced on Tuesday. The submission, lodged as part of FairSquare’s “Reboot Fifa” initiative, accuses Infantino of multiple infractions in a letter sent to Fifa’s Ethics Committee.

Specific allegations include abuse of power, failure to remain politically neutral, and violations of loyalty duties in an attempt to “ingratiate himself with US President Donald Trump”. The complaint lists eight distinct incidents, among them Infantino endorsing Trump’s political slogan and agenda, and unilaterally establishing a Fifa Peace Prize — without Fifa Council approval — in order to present it to Trump.

Key concerns also centre on Trump’s intervention during the 2026 World Cup, when the US president contacted Infantino to urge a review of American forward Folarin Balogun’s red card. The card was subsequently lifted. Infantino is further accused of privately pursuing the Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme alongside politically connected investors, a plan that was dropped following a global outcry.

This latest submission follows an initial complaint filed in December 2025. Nicholas McGeehan, director at FairSquare, said the escalation reflects the seriousness of developments since then. “The allegations are a lot more serious. We now have this public and political concern and we felt it was time to again put pressure on the Fifa Ethics Committee and really lay down the gauntlet to them,” he said. “Are you capable of holding your senior officials to account? That’s what we’re trying to do with this follow-up.”

FairSquare is calling for Infantino to be handed a two-year ban from football activities. McGeehan stressed, however, that the complaint carries a broader purpose beyond the individual. “Really, for us, it’s about demonstrating to the policymakers who should be scrutinising Fifa’s conduct and its governance that the organisation is incapable of regulating itself.”

Fifa’s Ethics Committee confirmed receipt of the original December filing but has provided no update since, according to FairSquare’s letter. In July, the International Olympic Committee dismissed a separate FairSquare complaint targeting Infantino’s public support for Trump, ruling the matter fell outside its Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.

Infantino is seeking re-election for a fourth term as Fifa president in March, with no major rival currently standing against him. Fifa has been contacted for comment.