More Than 100,000 People Sign Ethics Complaint Accusing Gianni Infantino of Abusing His Power

More than 100,000 people have put their names to a formal complaint against Gianni Infantino, accusing the Fifa president of abusing his power, breaching his duty of political neutrality and failing in his duty of loyalty. The complaint, delivered on Tuesday to Fifa's ethics committee, focuses on the Swiss official's relationship with Donald Trump and lists eight specific incidents, including the overturning of Folarin Balogun's red card at the World Cup and the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise project.

• The Reboot Fifa campaign hands a complaint backed by more than 100,000 signatures to Fifa's ethics committee.
• The letter accuses Infantino of abusing his power and breaking political neutrality rules through his dealings with Trump.
• The Balogun red card affair and the Fifa Forward Enterprise scandal are among the eight incidents cited.
• Fifa points to a previous statement describing a concerted effort to undermine the organisation and its president.
• Infantino confirmed on Sunday he will seek a fourth and final term next year despite pressure from Uefa.

What the Reboot Fifa Campaign Accuses Gianni Infantino Of

Fair Square, the advocacy group behind Reboot Fifa, argues that the evidence gathered shows the Fifa president has put his efforts to ingratiate himself with the US president ahead of the neutrality demanded by his role. The supporting letter calls on the ethics committee to act with appropriate haste, transparency and rigour, describing it as the independent judicial body tasked with upholding the integrity and reputation of football.

The fact that 100,000 individuals added their names to this call for accountability is clear evidence of mounting public concern.

The group notes that an earlier complaint submitted in December last year received no response from the committee, although it did gain the backing of the Norwegian football federation and 50 members of the European Parliament.

The Eight Incidents Behind the Complaint Against the Fifa President

The document lists eight episodes that Fair Square says provide compelling evidence of wrongdoing by Infantino. The most prominent is the Balogun affair: Trump admitted he asked Fifa to review the red card shown to the American striker during the tournament, a request that led to the sanction being overturned. The complaint also highlights the scandal surrounding the Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, which was shelved and has prompted Uefa to announce plans to pursue criminal claims in the United States.

Peace prize, Middle East board and campaign promises

The complaint also references Fifa's decision to award its peace prize to Trump, Infantino's involvement in the US president's Board of Peace in the Middle East, and the Fifa leader's pledge to work with Trump to make not only America great again but the entire world. For Fair Square, those statements and actions are incompatible with the obligation of political neutrality attached to the presidency of football's governing body.

How Fifa Responded to the Allegations Against Infantino

Asked about the new complaint, Fifa pointed to a statement first published a month earlier. In it, the organisation says it is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president. Those who lack the support of Fifa's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot secure through the organisation's established democratic processes, the statement adds.

Infantino's Re-Election Bid Faces Internal Opposition

The controversy comes as Infantino confirmed on Sunday that he will seek a fourth and final term at the head of Fifa in next year's elections. The announcement was made despite Uefa's call for him to stand down and criticism from within the Asian confederation and Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The backing secured by the Reboot Fifa campaign, with more than 100,000 signatures, adds a new chapter to the public scrutiny of Infantino's leadership. The ball is now in the ethics committee's court, which must decide whether to open formal proceedings against the most powerful official in world football.