Remaining politically neutral means not taking a position in that debate – let alone urging everyone to support Trump's policies, Miguel Maduro tells The Athletic.
During the American Business Forum on Wednesday, Gianni Infantino praised US President Donald Trump, calling him a "close friend."
But it is the words “we should all support what he is doing” that make Maduro react. He believes that it violates Article 15 of FIFA's ethical code, which requires political neutrality.
The final part of his statement does more than acknowledge President Trump's legitimacy – he also supports his policies and suggests that others should do the same. He is thus taking a stand in an internal political debate in the United States, he says.
A breach of FIFA's statutes could lead to an investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee, a judicial and independent part of FIFA, whose task is to review and judge the federation, the newspaper writes.
The United States will host the World Cup next summer, along with Canada and Mexico.
