Investigation Launched into Fifa-Trump Administration Ties
An investigation has been launched into the relationship between Fifa and the Trump Administration, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino facing scrutiny. The US House Judiciary Committee has confirmed it is investigating Infantino, citing what it describes as “mounting evidence of potential corruption and a possible quid pro quo between Fifa and the Trump Administration.”
The committee alleges that Fifa engaged in a “sustained campaign to secure special favours from President Trump.” These alleged favours include the dismissal of high-profile corruption cases. Actions such as awarding a “hilariously fake” Fifa Peace Prize and renting office space at Trump Tower are also mentioned in the allegations.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has been a subject of scrutiny for some time. President Donald Trump received the newly-created Fifa Peace Prize at a World Cup draw in December, months after the governing body opened an office in Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Calls for Document Submission and Interview
Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has written to Infantino, requesting that Fifa hand over documents and communications. These requested materials are related to “gifts, payments or benefits provided to Trump and his associates,” as well as visitor logs for the Fifa office located in Trump Tower.
The US House Judiciary Committee has set a deadline of 10pm BST on August 9 for the submission of these documents and information. Additionally, Infantino has been asked to appear before the committee for a transcribed interview, with a schedule for this interview also requested by August 9.
However, as the Democrats do not hold the majority in the House, Raskin cannot compel Infantino to attend the interview unless he secures support from Republicans.
Criticism Amidst World Cup Controversy
Criticism of Infantino intensified during the recent World Cup. A particular incident that sparked global outrage involved United States striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. This meant he was set to miss representing the tournament co-hosts in their last-16 match against Belgium.
In an unusual turn of events, Fifa announced that the red card had been suspended for a year, allowing Balogun to play against the Belgians. It was later revealed that President Donald Trump had called Infantino to discuss Balogun’s ban before its suspension. Trump subsequently thanked the governing body on social media for reversing what he called “a great injustice.”
Infantino’s recent Instagram post, which accused his critics of spreading “hate” during the World Cup, has also drawn strong criticism. La Liga president Javier Tebas labelled Infantino’s extensive 15-page message, which suggested critics should “meditate, pray, or watch a football match,” as “pathetic.” Tebas asserted that transparency and accountability are obligations, not expressions of hate.
In his letter to Infantino, the representative for Maryland stated that Infantino’s election was intended to mark a departure from a “decades-long culture of corruption and scandals.” However, the letter claims that at the start of his tenure, Infantino “dismantled Fifa’s ethical guardrails and disabled the organization’s ethics committee by pushing out most of its members.” This alleged lack of transparency and oversight is said to have “paved the way for you to ingratiate yourself with the Trump Administration via tactics that a New York University law professor and one of your former ethics committeemen described as ‘legal bribery’.”
Infantino had previously criticised Fifa’s detractors in a lengthy statement, accusing those who criticised the recent World Cup of being “consumed by hate and criticism.” He wrote, “To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness.” He added, “Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.”
The Fifa president further stated, “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at Fifa are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.” He concluded, “While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people and ensuring everyone’s safety. While you divide, we unite.” The US House Judiciary Committee has requested documents and information related to the investigation to be submitted by 10pm BST on August 9.
Source: independent.co.uk
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As News-GB's Sports Reporter, Megan Sinclair reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name interviewing rising British talent. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Edinburgh and completed an NCTJ diploma. Megan lives in Edinburgh, where she plays club tennis and follows track athletics. “Give the athletes room and the story tells itself.”