Concerns have emerged that FIFA could lose its tax-exempt status in the United States after allegations surfaced that FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid his personal housekeeper's salary using the organization's funds. Infantino is seen here at a press conference after visiting the White House in 2019 to discuss hosting of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup with President Donald Trump. [Getty Images]
Concerns have emerged that FIFA could lose its tax-exempt status in the United States after allegations surfaced that FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid his personal housekeeper's salary using the organization's funds. Infantino is seen here at a press conference after visiting the White House in 2019 to discuss hosting of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup with President Donald Trump. [Getty Images]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, known for his close loyalty to Donald Trump, is facing scrutiny that could cost the organization its tax-exempt status in the United States after his personal housekeeper's salary was allegedly paid out of FIFA funds.

According to the Guardian, a complaint was recently filed with the Internal Revenue Service alleging that Infantino's personal housekeeper has been receiving a salary from FIFA. The Guardian confirmed through multiple documents and reporting that the housekeeper performed domestic work exclusively for Infantino and his spouse at their Miami home. The complainant alleges, however, that the housekeeper's wages were drawn from FIFA's organizational funds.

The IRS complaint states that "if an organization's funds or resources were used to pay for services that benefit a leader's household, such practices raise serious questions about private benefit, financial reporting, compensation and governance." It adds that "the relevant materials also raise questions about the accuracy of what is reflected in employment, payroll, tax and immigration records," and calls on authorities to "examine the relevant records to determine what occurred." The complainant further alleged that "senior leadership abused the organization's tax-exempt status while acting on behalf of FIFA in an official capacity."

If the allegations are proven, FIFA could lose its tax-exempt status in the United States. FIFA is classified in the US as a 501(c)(4) organization — a designation for groups established to promote community welfare for charitable, educational or recreational purposes — and currently holds tax-exempt status. That status can be revoked, however, if an organization's resources or activities are found to serve the private interests of specific individuals rather than the public good, a situation known as "private benefit."

FIFA responded officially, saying "all household staff costs are personally borne by the FIFA president." Nevertheless, given Infantino's track record of acting in close alignment with Trump, the pay dispute is expected to draw congressional scrutiny alongside a broader set of controversies. Infantino created a "FIFA Peace Prize" and awarded it to Trump after the president expressed anger last year over missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize. During this year's North and Central America World Cup, Infantino drew criticism after postponing a suspension for US star Folarin Balogun — who had been ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards — following a phone call from Trump. FIFA has also faced criticism for leasing space in New York's Trump Tower that the organization does not use, effectively boosting the Trump family's real estate income.

The Democratic Party has signaled that, following a midterm election victory, it intends to investigate the Trump family and close associates — including Infantino's relationship with Trump. A spokesperson for Rep. Jamie Raskin, who leads the Democratic Party's side on the House Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said the committee "is closely monitoring developments" regarding the housekeeper pay dispute and would investigate the broader allegations.


kate01@heraldcorp.com