IOC ethics complaint targets Infantino after Trump FIFA lobbying
What's new: FairSquare plans to file with the IOC, extending scrutiny beyond FIFA after Balogun's ban was lifted before the Belgium match.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a planned ethics complaint at the International Olympic Committee after U.S. President Donald Trump took credit for pushing a review that allowed forward Folarin Balogun to play in the United States' World Cup round-of-16 loss to Belgium. FairSquare, a London-based sports and human rights group, said it would ask the IOC Ethics Commission to examine whether Infantino breached political neutrality rules. The move follows FIFA's extraordinary decision to cancel Balogun's red-card suspension even though World Cup rules do not allow appeals against red cards. The case has intensified criticism of Infantino's ties to Trump and revived questions over FIFA's independence as World Cup co-hosts came under direct political pressure.