US IRS receives formal complaint regarding Fifa president Gianni Infantino

A formal complaint irs has been filed with the United States Internal Revenue Service, requesting an inquiry into allegations that an individual on the Fifa payroll performed private domestic work for the organization's president, Gianni Infantino. Documentation supporting the complaint, which has been reviewed by the media, suggests that the employee provided services exclusively for Infantino and his wife at their residence in Miami while receiving compensation through a Fifa-affiliated entity.

A formal complaint to the IRS alleges a Fifa employee worked privately for president Gianni Infantino.

The submission argues that if organizational funds were utilized to cover services benefiting a leader's personal household, it raises significant concerns regarding financial reporting, private benefit, and governance. The complaint further suggests that such an arrangement could call into question the accuracy of official records related to employment, payroll, and immigration. The filing was submitted by Abed Ayoub, a Washington DC-based immigration lawyer.

Fifa's tax-exempt status

Fifa currently maintains 501(c)(4) status in the United States, a designation reserved for organizations established to promote community welfare for charitable, educational, or recreational purposes. If the IRS were to investigate these claims and determine them to be accurate, Fifa could potentially face the loss of this tax-exempt standing.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Fifa stated that matters concerning the president's home life are private. The organization clarified that the costs of any domestic staff are covered personally by the president. Fifa also characterized the reports as part of a concerted effort by certain parties to undermine the organization and its leadership, noting that while they welcome legitimate scrutiny, they will challenge inaccurate or misleading reporting.

Scrutiny from US lawmakers

This development occurs as Fifa faces increased attention from Democratic politicians in the United States. Following the midterm elections, there is growing interest regarding Infantino’s involvement in the discontinued Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme and his previous interactions with the Trump administration. A spokesperson for Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House judiciary committee, indicated that while the committee has not requested specific documents regarding the housekeeper, they are monitoring the situation closely.

Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has also publicly criticized Infantino, describing him as a leader who has lost his sense of boundaries. Blatter’s comments touched on various controversies, including the Fifa peace prize and the management of match rules.

Why it matters

The potential investigation by the IRS could lead to the revocation of Fifa's tax-exempt status in the United States, which would have significant financial and operational implications for the governing body. For stakeholders and the global football community, this highlights the ongoing tension between Fifa's leadership and regulatory bodies regarding fiscal transparency and governance standards.