Dozens of European Parliament members have supported an ethics complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The complaint, initiated by the London-based non-governmental organization FairSquare, questions Infantino’s decision to award the FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump. Over 50 MEPs and the Norwegian Football Federation have backed this complaint, expressing concerns about Infantino’s actions compromising FIFA’s integrity.
MEP Barry Andrews emphasized the significance of the World Cup as a global unifying event and criticized Infantino’s favoritism towards a specific political figure. The controversy arose from the award presentation at the World Cup draw in Washington D.C., where Infantino bestowed the Peace Prize upon Trump, leading to widespread criticism and accusations of breaching FIFA’s Ethics Code.
Andrews urged the FIFA Ethics Committee to thoroughly investigate the awarding of the Peace Prize and ensure adherence to fair and neutral practices. The call for transparency and accountability in FIFA’s actions is crucial, especially during a high-profile event like the World Cup. FairSquare, an advocacy group promoting good governance in sports, initiated the complaint against Infantino.
In addition to the Peace Prize dispute, Infantino faced backlash for excessive air travel during the World Cup, contradicting his commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Despite FIFA’s sustainability and human rights pledges, investigations revealed the significant environmental impact of Infantino’s frequent jet-setting between tournament venues, raising concerns about the organization’s sincerity in upholding its stated values.
Infantino’s attendance at multiple matches daily, often requiring multiple flights between distant cities, has drawn criticism for its environmental implications. The BBC reported that the carbon footprint of the private jet linked to FIFA and Infantino’s travel during a fortnight equated to the emissions of 78 individuals over a year, highlighting the disconnect between FIFA’s sustainability rhetoric and actual practices.