Representative Jamie Raskin is seeking documents regarding Fifa's ties to Donald Trump and has requested an interview with Gianni Infantino.
Key facts
- •Representative Jamie Raskin has set an August 9 deadline for Fifa to provide requested documents and schedule an interview.
- •Fifa opened an office in Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan in July of last year.
- •The US Department of Justice previously dismissed indictments against defendants in 2015 corruption investigations involving soccer officials.
- •Fifa’s dynamic ticketing pricing for the World Cup is currently under investigation by several US attorneys general.
- •More than 200 Fifa members have endorsed Infantino for the presidential election scheduled for March.
Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, has launched an investigation into Fifa president Gianni Infantino. In a letter sent Sunday, Raskin requested documents concerning gifts, payments, or benefits provided to Donald Trump and his associates, as well as visitor logs for Fifa’s office in Trump Tower. The committee has also requested that Infantino sit for a transcribed interview by August 9.
Scrutiny over political ties
The investigation follows scrutiny regarding the relationship between Infantino and Trump during the recent World Cup. Raskin’s letter cites Trump’s lobbying efforts to reverse a red-card suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun, a decision Fifa ultimately overturned. The letter also references the Department of Justice's decision to dismiss indictments against defendants in previous corruption investigations involving global soccer officials.
Allegations of misconduct
Raskin’s letter accuses Infantino of dismantling Fifa’s ethical guardrails and lacking transparency. The inquiry also addresses Fifa’s World Cup ticketing policies, specifically the use of dynamic pricing, which Raskin describes as illegal price-gouging and fraudulent sales tactics. Raskin noted that he currently lacks the power to compel Infantino to appear without Republican support in the House.
Fifa's response
Infantino addressed his critics on Monday via a 15-part Instagram message, where he denounced them for spreading hate and false narratives while describing the World Cup as a success. Meanwhile, the Norwegian football federation plans to submit a formal complaint to Fifa ethics investigators regarding Trump’s involvement in the reversal of Balogun’s suspension.
Timeline
- 2015The US government initiated prosecutions against more than 20 high-level Fifa officials and sports-marketing executives.
- July of last yearFifa opened an office space in Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.
- DecemberDonald Trump was awarded a Fifa peace prize at the Kennedy Center during the World Cup draw.
- SundayJamie Raskin sent a letter to Gianni Infantino launching an investigation and requesting documents.
- 9 AugustThe deadline set by Raskin for Fifa to provide documents and schedule an interview.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Football.
