US Representative Jamie Raskin, a senior Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee, on 26/7 called for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino concerning the relationship between the international body and President Donald Trump personally, as well as the current administration.

In a letter to Infantino, Raskin requested FIFA provide all documents and communications related to gifts, payments, and benefits for Trump or his associates, along with the visitor logs for FIFA's office, which opened last year in Trump Tower in New York.

He also requested the FIFA president participate in a transcribed interview before the House Judiciary Committee, with a response deadline of 9/8. As Democrats do not hold a majority in the House, Raskin lacks the authority to compel Infantino to appear for a hearing if the investigation proposal does not receive support from Republican committee members.

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) at the awards ceremony after the 2026 World Cup Final on 19/7. Photo: AFP

According to Raskin, the investigation will examine suspicions that FIFA "has a long-term campaign" to seek favors from the Trump administration, including the US Department of Justice's decision to drop corruption-related prosecutions within FIFA. The Democratic congressman also accused FIFA of leveraging its relationship with the Trump administration to "illegally inflate prices and fraudulently sell tickets" for the 2026 World Cup.

Raskin stated that Infantino was once expected to usher in an era ending the organization's decades-long culture of corruption. However, he believes the FIFA leader has undermined internal ethics oversight mechanisms and sought to build close ties with the Trump administration.

The investigation will also review FIFA's World Cup ticketing policy, including dynamic pricing, ticket price increases, and allowing seat downgrades after customers have purchased tickets. This policy is also under investigation by several state attorneys general's offices.

FIFA and Infantino have not yet commented on Representative Raskin's statement.

The relationship between the US President and the FIFA President became a focal point during the World Cup.

President Trump had several phone calls with the FIFA president to lobby for a review of the suspension against US striker Folarin Balogun before the match against Belgium. FIFA later rescinded the penalty, but Infantino affirmed he was not influenced by the US government.

Earlier this month, 72 members of the European Parliament (EP) signed a letter calling for an investigation into the FIFA president regarding the decision to overturn Balogun's suspension.

Previously, an open letter signed by 50 EP members requested an investigation into Infantino for alleged violations of political neutrality rules when awarding the FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, while another letter with 44 signatures opposed the decision to allow Russian national teams to participate in the U-15 World Cup in 10/2025.

Thanh Danh (According to Guardian, Anadolu)