IOC to Investigate FIFA Leader’s Participation in Peace Commission

Kirsty Coventry, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced on Friday that the IOC plans to examine FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s involvement in the launch of a peace commission led by US President Donald Trump.

Both Infantino and Coventry are part of the IOC’s 107 current members who have committed to acting independently of political pressures.

During an event held in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Infantino represented FIFA when he signed a partnership agreement that may allocate $75 million for soccer initiatives in Gaza.

In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, Infantino has been collaborating closely with FIFA and the U.S. government. This includes his attendance at Trump’s inauguration last year and multiple visits to the White House and Mar-a-Lago. The tournament is set to kick off on June 11, with the U.S. co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico.

“The Olympic Charter is clear about expectations for its members, and we will scrutinize the signing of this document,” Coventry remarked during her final press conference at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, noting she wasn’t aware that Infantino had been so prominently involved in the peace commission event.

“Now that this has been brought to our attention, we’ll take a closer look at it,” she added after being asked a follow-up question on the matter.

IOC members are expected to remain politically neutral, which includes figures like Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.

This neutrality also extends to individuals like Indonesian Sports Minister Eric Tohir, who had previously suggested that the IOC should bar international sporting events that deny Israeli participation, as was seen during the world gymnastics championships.

Interestingly, Coventry previously served as Zimbabwe’s sports minister before becoming the IOC’s first female president in March.