In a shocking blow to fair play and sportsmanship, FIFA's Gianni Infantino appears set to escape unpunished for allegedly breaching political neutrality rules. The Human Rights organisation FairSquare has lodged a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over Infantino's cosy chats with Donald Trump regarding Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban.
The controversy centres on Trump's bombshell admission that he'd personally called Infantino to lobby for Balogun's suspension to be reviewed. And, in a stunning turn of events, FIFA subsequently suspended the ban - a move that FairSquare claims was nothing short of a breach of IOC charter rules. According to these rules, members must remain independent and not take instructions from governments or other external bodies that could influence their decisions.
Infantino has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he engages with world leaders on all manner of topics and that the decision to suspend Balogun's ban was taken independently by FIFA's disciplinary committee. But whispers are emerging within FIFA circles suggesting that Mohammad al-Kamali, chair of the committee, may be taking a fall for Infantino - sparking speculation about just how involved the president was in this high-stakes decision.
Despite strident condemnations from UEFA and the Belgian Football Federation, neither body has formally complained to the IOC. The Belgians had initially hinted at pursuing all legal avenues, including an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport - but now seem ready to kick the issue into touch following their team's quarter-final exit.
The IOC appears to be taking a hands-off approach, with sources indicating a reluctance to intervene in FIFA's internal affairs. This stance is further compounded by the changing dynamics between the IOC and FIFA over the past two decades - as the former increasingly relies on FIFA for commercial muscle and its ability to tap into the world of football.