Housekeeper row around Infantino: FIFA risks losing its tax-exempt status in the US
An allegation has been raised that an employee on FIFA's payroll worked as a housekeeper at the personal residence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. A request for an investigation has been filed with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the tax authority. If the allegation is proven, world football's governing body could lose its tax-exempt organisation status in the United States.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported that Washington DC immigration lawyer Abed Ayoub filed the complaint. Several documents were attached to it. The complaint says a person on FIFA's payroll worked exclusively on household duties at the Miami home of Infantino and his wife Lina Infantino, while his pay and other benefits were provided through an entity linked to FIFA.
FIFA holds tax-exempt status in the US under section 501(c)(4). Organisations in this category are run mainly for public welfare, charitable, educational or recreational purposes.
The complaint says FIFA's senior officials used their institutional authority to misuse the organisation's tax-exempt benefit. It adds that if an organisation's money or assets were used for a leader's family benefit, it raises serious questions about personal benefit, financial reporting, remuneration and administrative transparency. Questions also remain over the accuracy of information in employment, payroll, tax and immigration documents. The complaint called on the agencies to investigate the relevant documents.
FIFA, however, has rejected the allegation outright. A spokesperson said the FIFA president's personal and family matters are entirely private. To leave no ambiguity, the spokesperson said Infantino personally bears all the costs of the household staff working at his home.
FIFA also expressed anger at the media reports. It claimed a quarter is working in a planned way to damage the image of Infantino and FIFA. FIFA called on the media to act responsibly.
If the IRS accepts the complaint for investigation, the whole process could take several months. The results of such investigations are usually not published. However, if any action is taken based on the investigation, it will come into the public domain.
Pressure is also growing in US politics over the matter. After the Democrats' success in the midterm elections, a spokesperson for Congressman Jamie Raskin said the House Judiciary Committee is closely monitoring the issue.
