FIFA boss’s Board of Peace appearance doesn’t violate political neutrality, IOC says

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s presence at the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace this week, alongside heads of state and politicians, does not violate any Olympic Charter rules on political neutrality, the International Olympic Committee says.

The boss of global soccer’s governing body, who is also an IOC member, took part in Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Peace, which was set up to oversee postwar Gaza but whose mandate Trump has expanded to resolve other global conflicts, raising concerns that it could rival the United Nations.

“The IOC has been in contact with FIFA,” an IOC spokesperson says. “We understand that FIFA is supporting, through football, a comprehensive sport recovery investment program in Gaza, Palestine, by providing sporting infrastructure, education and elite development proposals.”

“This is entirely in keeping with the role of an international sport federation. The IOC, through Olympic Solidarity, which is our development vehicle, has been and continues to support sport development in the region,” the spokesperson says.

The Olympic Charter states that members must always act independently of commercial and political interests. They also cannot accept “from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote,” the Charter says.

Infantino appeared on stage with several heads of state, sported a red hat with ‘USA’ on the front and the numbers 45-47, representing the two non-consecutive presidencies of Trump.

Infantino also displayed the FIFA collaboration agreement with The Board of Peace, which includes building 50 mini-pitches near schools and residential areas in Gaza, five full-size pitches across multiple districts, a state-of-the-art FIFA academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium.

The US President was also awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in December.