A group of European Parliament members have rallied behind an ethics complaint targeting FIFA’s head, Gianni Infantino. Over 50 MEPs are backing the complaint filed by London-based NGO FairSquare. The complaint questions Infantino’s decision to award the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump.
The Norwegian Football Federation has joined the coalition against Infantino. MEP Barry Andrews voiced concerns about Infantino’s actions, stating that favoritism undermines FIFA’s integrity. The controversial awarding of the peace prize to Trump at the World Cup draw in Washington D.C. received widespread criticism.
Trump hailed the award as a significant honor, while the complaint argues that Infantino violated FIFA’s Ethics Code by showing political bias. Andrews emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee to uphold fairness and respect within the organization.
FairSquare, an NGO promoting good governance in sports, initiated the complaint. Infantino also faced scrutiny for his extensive travel during the World Cup, contradicting his pledge to reduce emissions. Despite FIFA’s sustainability efforts, investigators highlighted the carbon footprint of Infantino’s jet travel.
Infantino’s hectic schedule attending multiple matches daily and traveling long distances between host cities raised environmental concerns. The BBC reported that the carbon impact of Infantino’s travel over a fortnight equated to that of 78 individuals over a year. Infantino’s actions have sparked debate on FIFA’s commitment to environmental responsibility amid major sporting events.
