Olympic Committee dismisses complaint against FIFA President Infantino

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated it will not sanction FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding allegations of political interference. The decision comes after a London-based NGO filed a formal complaint with the IOC's ethics commission.

The complaint accused Infantino of intervening to prevent a mandatory one-match suspension for American player Folarin Balogun, who had been sent off in a previous match. The NGO argued that such actions violate the Olympic Charter's principle of political neutrality, which applies to sports organizations like FIFA and its members.

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The complaint relates solely to (FIFA’s) decisions on its governance and management, including its relations with government, and FIFA’s application of the rules of its sport.

However, the IOC clarified that it does not have jurisdiction to investigate the complaint. In a statement, the committee explained that the grievance pertains solely to FIFA's internal governance and management decisions, including its relationships with governments and the application of its sport's rules. Therefore, the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of the IOC's ethics commission.

The IOC's ethics body does not have independent powers to initiate investigations or sanction officials but can make recommendations to the IOC executive board. The committee noted that in the past eight years, only one IOC member has faced action for unethical conduct. The committee's stance effectively dismisses the NGO's complaint, asserting that FIFA's internal sporting decisions are not within the IOC's purview.

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Consequently, the complaint falls outside the jurisdiction of the IOC ethics commission.