Gianni Infantino has been summoned to appear in Washington before a representative of the US House Judiciary Committee
July 28 – The day FIFA President Gianni Infantino posted 15 slides on Instagram accusing his critics of the media around the world of “spreading hatred and false rumours” and suggesting that they “meditate, pray or watch a football game”, he received a letter from the US attorneys asking him to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.
Democrat Jamie Raskin, a ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, wants Infantino to appear to explain FIFA’s close relationship with the Trump administration, including all documents and communications “with anything of value (including transfers of money, gifts, awards, prizes, or public appearances) given to President Trump, members of his administration, or members of their related family, or any Organization.”
Raskin is also asking Infantino to provide you with “all communications with the United States government related to your ticketing procedures, including consumer complaints, discussion regarding flexibility or other pricing methods, third-party vendors, and ticket prices; as we all as guests enter the FIFA offices in Miami and New York City during the time the New York City office is occupied.”
There is another condition that FIFA “maintain all communications between FIFA employees and people connected to the Trump Administration or its first committee – including disappearing messages exchanged on temporary social networks, such as Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, X, and Public Truth.”
During the World Cup, Infantino’s close relationship with Trump caused worldwide outrage when Trump called on Infantino to have American striker Folarin Balogun’s red card rescinded, FIFA duly scheduled Balogun to play in the USA’s next match against Belgium.
It was one of the criticisms of Infantino’s leadership of FIFA in this World Cup cycle that saw him give Trump the new ‘FIFA Peace Prize’, he supported Trump’s MAGA agenda many times, he controversially raised ticket prices making them inaccessible to many football fans around the world, failing to open the borders so that all countries benefit and their fans participate. others in terms of distances traveled and playing conditions, and especially Iran who had to compete on very different terms than the other qualifying teams.
On top of this FIFA introduced a number of new rules including a mandatory hydration break which changed the game from one of two quarters to one of four quarters (opening up more commercial inventory for FIFA’s broadcast partners). All of them are managed for the most part by referees who are not equipped to officiate high-level matches and VAR officials who have selectively intervened in what appeared to be biased towards certain countries – particularly Argentina and Lionel Messi.
But Raskin’s book is a much deeper and more serious challenge to FIFA and Infantino than simply listing World Cup grievances, and it goes to the heart of Infantino’s leadership and total disregard for both FIFA and US law.
Raskin also reminds FIFA and Infantino of the 2015 FIFAgate scandal where the US Department of Justice indicted more than 40 football officials and managers arrested in FIFA.
“In 2015, the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted more than a dozen senior FIFA officials and sports marketing executives on charges of fraud including racketeering and money laundering,” Raskin said.
“In one of the many criminal cases brought as part of the investigation, a judge found the Full Play Group and a Fox executive guilty of fraud and money laundering. That case was unanimously upheld on appeal. But, months after this powerful victory, the Trump administration mysteriously withdrew the case, refusing to take it to the Supreme Court of Appeal,” he said.
“The DOJ’s actions are even more indefensible because of the shocking underlying facts.” The defendants acted with a deep sense of guilt, leaving no doubt that media executives and FIFA officials were breaking the law … FIFA as North America co-hosted the first World Cup.”
“This bribery tactic does not start in your organization,” said Raskin. FIFA also leased offices on the 17th floor of Trump Tower—a place Raskin said could generate $600,000 a year.
“These actions appear to be designed to persuade President Trump and his Administration to make decisions in favor of FIFA,” Raskin wrote.
He continues to raise the issue of World Cup ticket prices.
“The most recent quid pro quo orchestrated by FIFA and President Trump is not a victimless crime. It hurts the American people. FIFA has taken its new position of favor with the Trump Administration as a sign that it may rip off its consumers, particularly, through illegal fraud and fraudulent World Cup marketing tactics,” said Raskin.
“FIFA has also introduced variable prices, resulting in very high prices for many games. Even after a fan buys a ticket, FIFA may, at its discretion, put the ticket holder in the worst seat in the worst place. This is illegal, anti-consumer behavior. As Americans are being defrauded and exploited by FIFA, New Jersey’s attorneys have conducted an investigation in New York.”
In keeping with the kind of potty-mouthed language used by Trump and his administration, White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed Raskin’s book in a statement to The Athletic saying: “Lightweight Jamie Raskin (is) a fool’s idea of a smart man.”
Right now Raskin may not have the power to bring Infantino before the committee, as Democrats are in the minority in the House. But that could change in mid-November and if Democrats win the House, Raskin could lead the House Judiciary Committee, which would also give him subpoena power.
That could be a big problem for Infantino and FIFA who are looking to bring the hosting of the 2031 Women’s World Cup to the USA and are expected to rubber stamp that decision at the virtual FIFA conference scheduled for November 23, 2026.
Infantino is no stranger to public and criminal investigations.
He has been the subject of an investigation by the Swiss Attorney General into his conduct as FIFA president and secret, off-the-record meetings with the Swiss AG that were allegedly part of Infantino’s attempt to pervert justice in FIFA cases being investigated in Switzerland – a case of multiple arrests.
In France former UEFA President Michel Platini, and Infantino’s former manager, filed a civil and criminal case before the French court of judges just before the opening of the World Cup, seeking compensation for the damages he received due to Infantino’s “trickery” and FIFA’s “trickery” used to prevent him from being elected FIFA president in 2015, but who was elected in his first place.
While 50 members of the European parliament wrote to FIFA on June 29, demanding that it address an ethics complaint about Infantino giving President Trump the FIFA Peace Prize and citing “repeated violations” of FIFA’s duty of political neutrality by Infantino.
After Balogun’s decision, more than 70 European lawmakers called for an investigation of FIFA and Infantino over the principle of political neutrality.
Infantino was given a deadline of August 9 to arrange the appearance of a “written interview with this Committee”.
He could call on his friend Donald Trump to bring pressure to cancel the bid, but with US public opinion turning heavily against Trump, Infantino could be making a fatal mistake if Trump’s power wanes.
No doubt Infantino will give the same disparaging advice to Raskin as he has given to the world press. “Take a moment to think, meditate, pray or watch a football game.”
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