Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, faces a U.S. Internal Revenue Service inquiry after a whistleblower alleged that his personal housekeeper’s salary was paid using association funds, as reported by Herald Economy.
Herald Economy said that Gianni Infantino is known as a Trump loyalist.
The Guardian reported that documents and interviews confirm the housekeeper worked exclusively for Infantino and his wife at their Miami residence while drawing a salary from international football’s governing body. The complaint to the IRS warns that using organizational resources to cover personal domestic services raises severe questions about private benefit, financial reporting, and governance.
The submission to the IRS states that employment, payroll, tax, and immigration records are questionable regarding their accuracy, and requests that relevant authorities investigate the documents to ascertain what occurred. FIFA stated in an official response that all housekeeper expenses are paid personally by the FIFA president.
- The IRS complaint claims FIFA’s tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) is compromised because organizational assets allegedly served private interests rather than community welfare.
- House Democrats, including House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, indicated that the committee is monitoring the situation as part of broader upcoming oversight inquiries. Jamie Raskin’s office said that the committee is closely monitoring developments and will investigate the overall allegations, including the housekeeper salary controversy.
FIFA operates in the United States under a 501(c)(4) tax classification, which is reserved for organizations promoted exclusively for the promotion of social welfare or local associations of employees.
Legal challenges arise when a tax-exempt entity utilizes its capital or staff for the personal benefit of leadership, which can trigger revocation proceedings by federal tax authorities. According to the complaint, senior leadership abused the organization’s tax-exempt status while acting in an official capacity on behalf of FIFA.
Infantino previously instituted a FIFA Peace Prize and awarded it to Donald Trump after Donald Trump expressed anger over missing out on a Nobel Peace Prize.
During the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, a suspension for American star player Folarin Balogun—who was ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards—was postponed following a phone call from Donald Trump, sparking controversy. Criticisms also emerged that FIFA rented unused space in New York’s Trump Tower, thereby increasing real estate revenue for Donald Trump’s family.
| Entity & Designation | U.S. Tax Status | Key Allegation / Focus |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) | 501(c)(4) Tax-Exempt Organization | Alleged misuse of institutional funds for personal domestic staff wages. |
| Gianni Infantino | FIFA President | Subject of IRS whistleblower complaint regarding Miami residence staffing. |
