Infantino’s backing of Trump’s politics is a breach of the neutrality demanded in FIFA statutes — Maduro

 

Former FIFA governance boss Miguel Maduro has accused Gianni Infantino of violating FIFA’s governance statutes by endorsing US President Donald Trump’s political programme.

After FIFA president Infantino said that Trump’s programme is “looking pretty good” at the America Business Forum in Miami, Florida, Maduro told The Athletic in an interview: “I think a president of FIFA can state that electoral results should be respected. But Infantino went beyond that.”

“The final part of his statement does more than recognising the legitimacy of President Trump, it endorses his political programme and actions and argues others should support them too. He is taking a position in what is an internal political debate in the U.S.

“While he can recognise the legitimacy of President Trump, he should also recognise that in a democracy, others can oppose his policies. To remain politically neutral requires not to take a position on that political debate, much less to argue that all should support President Trump’s policies. To do so appears a clear violation of the duty of political neutrality imposed on any FIFA official by Article 15 of its Code of Ethics.”

Article 15 of FIFA’s Code of Ethics states: “In dealings with government institutions, national and international organisations, associations and groupings, persons bound by this Code shall, in addition to observing the basic rules of article 14, remain politically neutral, in accordance with the principles and objectives of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and clubs, and generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity.”

The FIFA statutes read: “FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion. Exceptions may be made with regard to matters affected by FIFA’s statutory objectives.”

At the America Business Forum, Infantino said: “He does things. He does what he says. He says what he thinks. He actually says what many people think as well, but maybe don’t dare to say and that’s why he’s so successful. I have to say it and I’m a bit surprised sometimes when we read some negative comments.”

“I am not American, but as far as I understand, President Trump was elected in the United States of America and was quite clearly elected. When you are in such a great democracy as the United States of America, you should first of all respect the results of the election, right?

“In the end he was elected based on the programme, based on what he said. He is just implementing what he said he would do,” the FIFA president continued. “So I think we should all support what he’s doing because I think it’s looking pretty good.”

On Wednesday, FIFA announced the creation of the FIFA peace prize, which Infantino is set to award to US President Donald Trump on December 5, the day of the World Cup draw in Washington DC.