Gianni Infantino asked to appear in front of US committee over Donald Trump relationship
A US politician has written a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking him to appear in front of a committee over his relationship with the administration of Donald Trump.
Infantino, who has been president of FIFA since 2016, formed a friendship with US President Trump in the build-up to this summer's World Cup.
He gave Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw in December, a highly-controversial award created by Infantino to 'reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world'. The awarding has come under even greater scrutiny since US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran just under three months later.
His relationship with Trump was again questioned after FIFA's decision to suspend United States striker Folarin Balogun's red card ban for one year, allowing him to appear in his nation's last 16 clash against Belgium.
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Trump confirmed publicly that he had called Infantino to ask whether an appeal against the red card would be possible, and the New York Post reported that members of the Trump administration aided US Soccer with preparing an appeal.
Infantino rejected claims of political interference, and stated that the disciplinary committee who suspended Balogun's ban was independent of FIFA.
The Post also claimed earlier this month that Trump wants to nominate Infantino as the next secretary-general of the United Nations, with incumbent Antonio Guterres due to stand down at the end of his second full term in December.
READ MORE: Donald Trump wants to nominate Gianni Infantino for surprise new job days after World Cup
Infantino posted a statement on his Instagram page, spanning 15 slides, in which he hit out at critics of the World Cup.
He accused critics of 'spreading hate and false rumours' from 'behind their papers, behind the screens', and added: "While you divide, we unite.
"We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!
"Zero incidents, zero hostility, zero violence, just joy, emotions, happiness, unity and togetherness. All were safe, secure and happy."
He specifically referenced the nation of Haiti, who are on Trump's travel ban list, and praised how 'football brought Haiti to the world', describing it as 'a country that many cannot or choose not to visit'.
He addressed Balogun's red card suspension without referencing it, claiming that such decisions are 'routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide'.
"To those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, the eyes, the emotions," he added.
READ MORE: Gianni Infantino directly addresses World Cup backlash in scathing 'spreading hate' rant
Democrat Rep. writes five-point letter to Infantino over Trump
Now, US House Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) has written a letter to Infantino asking him to appear in front of the Republican-majority House's Judiciary Committee.
Raskin - a Ranking Member of the House's Judiciary Committee - asks Infantino to provide five separate documents or communications to the committee by August 9, 2026 in a letter published online via an official press release.
He asks Infantino to provide 'a list of anything of value (including transfer of money, gifts, prizes, awards or public appearances) given to President Trump, members of his Administration, or their family members, or any entity associated with them, such as the Trump Organization'.
He has also requested 'all visitor logs for FIFA's Miami and New York City offices for the duration of the New York City office lease term' and 'all documents and communications since 2024 with any United States official, or anyone associated with the 2024-2025 Presidential Transition, regarding any matter pending before or under consideration by officials at the Department of Justice or any other department, agency or office of the United States'.
The Democrats are currently the minority party in the House of Representatives, with 212 seats compared to the Republican Party's 219. The next House elections take place in November.
Responding to the letter in a statement to The Athletic, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle called Rep. Raskin 'a stupid person's idea of a smart person', adding: "No other president in history could have pulled off the historic feat that President Trump delivered for the American people and the world.
"Thanks to his bold vision and decisive leadership, the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated billions of dollars in revenue, created a massive economic boost across host cities, and delivered a safe, secure, and seamless experience for millions of fans and athletes from around the globe. It will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest and most successful sporting events in history."
SPORTbible have contacted FIFA for comment.
Topics: FIFA, Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump, FIFA World Cup
Ryan Smart