FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under intense scrutiny over his decision to confer a peace award on U.S. President Donald Trump, adding to mounting dissatisfaction over his leadership.

Infantino faced sharp questioning during a FIFA Council meeting following controversial commercial rights initiatives and disciplinary decisions surrounding the World Cup.

The controversies were addressed during a three-and-a-half-hour FIFA Council meeting on Thursday (October 15).

Infantino issued an apology to council members over the failure of "FIFA Forward Enterprises," an initiative designed to manage World Cup commercial rights.

However, he failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the project's financial structure, decision-making framework, or the involvement of key personnel.

The FIFA president also expressed regret for failing to consult council members in advance.

During the meeting, two American attorneys delivered a presentation in defense of the venture; it later emerged that FIFA itself had hired them to review the project, raising immediate concerns over their independence and the objectivity of the presentation.

Additionally, FIFA faced stern inquiries regarding the rescinding of a red card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during World Cup play.

Allegations have surfaced that lobbying from Trump played a role in the decision, prompting council members to demand full documentation on the matter.

Proposals to amend the disciplinary code to restrict the grounds for overturning direct red cards were also discussed.

However, a final decision was deferred pending comprehensive reporting. Infantino promised to supply all necessary details ahead of the next council meeting scheduled for December 16 in Doha.

The sharpest debate centered on FIFA's peace award presented to Trump. Several council members advocated for rescinding the accolade altogether, while others suggested redefining the award's scope and revising the selection process.

Infantino presented the trophy, medal, and certificate to Trump last December during the World Cup draw in Washington. However, FIFA's failure to disclose the selection criteria publicly has sparked serious concerns over transparency and political neutrality.

The matter has been referred to FIFA's Football and Social Responsibility Committee, which is required to submit its recommendations prior to the December 16 council meeting.

Key proposals under consideration include redefining the award, restricting political figures from eligibility, and establishing strict evaluation criteria for future recipients.

Critics argue that presenting such an award to a political leader directly conflicts with FIFA's principle of political neutrality.

Consequently, the decision to award Trump has further intensified debates surrounding Infantino’s leadership and FIFA's commitment to impartiality.