IOC clears Infantino over political neutrality after Board of Peace appearance

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been cleared by the International Olympic Committee of breaching Olympic rules on political neutrality following his appearance alongside United States President Donald Trump at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting.The issue arose after Infantino, who is also an IOC member, attended the Washington event on Thursday and was seen wearing a red ‘USA’ cap marked ‘45-47’, a reference to Trump’s non-consecutive presidencies.IOC president Kirsty Coventry had initially said the organisation would investigate whether Infantino’s appearance and the reported signing of documents at the event were compatible with the Olympic Charter’s requirements on political neutrality and independence.The IOC has now ruled there was no breach.In a statement, an IOC spokesperson said: “The IOC has been in contact with FIFA. We understand that FIFA is supporting, through football, a comprehensive sport recovery investment programme 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.”FIFA announced at the Board of Peace meeting that it had entered a formal partnership to support a football-led regeneration programme in Gaza once conditions allow, with plans including 50 mini-pitches, five full-size pitches, a FIFA academy and a 20,000-seat national stadium.Infantino said in FIFA’s announcement: “Today, FIFA and the Board of Peace have signed a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post conflict areas.”The IOC decision is likely to draw a line under questions about whether Infantino’s attendance at the event could trigger action under Olympic neutrality rules, although scrutiny is expected to continue over the political optics of the appearance and the detail of FIFA’s proposed Gaza programme.Questions remain over the funding structure, the timeline for implementation and how the project will be delivered in practice, with FIFA indicating the initiative would be developed in stages and subject to security conditions.The IOC’s ruling means no further action will be taken against Infantino under its political neutrality framework in relation to the Board of Peace event.