IOC President Launches Investigation After Infantino Attends Trump-Led Peace Meeting
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry has announced she will launch a formal investigation after discovering that FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended a Board of Peace meeting alongside former US President Donald Trump. The revelation came during a press conference at the Milano Cortina Olympics, where Coventry expressed surprise at Infantino's involvement.
Neutrality Concerns Prompt Official Inquiry
"I wasn't aware of that, that we had an IOC member front and centre," Coventry told journalists. "Now that you guys made us aware of it we will go back and have a look at it." She emphasized that the IOC Charter clearly outlines expectations for member conduct, particularly regarding political neutrality and independence from external influences.
The Olympic Charter specifically mandates that members must always act independently of commercial and political interests. It further prohibits them from accepting "from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote."
Details of the Controversial Meeting
Infantino, who serves as both FIFA president and an IOC member, participated in the inaugural meeting of The Board of Peace on Friday. This initiative, established under Trump's leadership, focuses on creating a reconstruction fund for Gaza with the aim of rebuilding the territory once Hamas disarms.
During the event, Infantino appeared on stage with several politicians while wearing a distinctive red hat featuring 'USA' and the numbers 45-47, referencing Trump's two non-consecutive presidential terms. The FIFA chief also showcased a collaboration agreement between FIFA and The Board of Peace.
The partnership includes ambitious plans for Gaza reconstruction, featuring:
- Construction of 50 mini-pitches near schools and residential areas
- Five full-size football pitches across multiple districts
- A state-of-the-art FIFA academy facility
- A new 20,000-seat national stadium
Historical Context and Previous Interactions
This meeting represents the latest in a series of interactions between Trump and Infantino, particularly significant given the United States' role as co-host of this summer's football World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. In December, Trump received FIFA's inaugural peace prize for his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in global conflict zones.
Coventry, who was elected IOC President in 2025, has not yet met Trump personally. This relationship may become increasingly relevant with the 2028 Summer Olympics scheduled for Los Angeles.
Commitment to Political Neutrality
"I think from the IOC's point of view we will continue to be politically neutral," Coventry affirmed during her press conference. "That's the only way for us as an organisation to ensure that we allow for there to be fairness on the field of play. That's what we will continue to do as we walk into the future."
The investigation will specifically examine "the alleged signing of documents" related to the FIFA-Board of Peace collaboration agreement. Coventry's response indicates the IOC takes seriously any potential breaches of its charter regarding political neutrality and member independence.
