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FIFA’s Infantino to face no IOC action on Olympic neutrality rules over Trump peace board

MILAN (AP) — The International Olympic Committee will take no action against its member Gianni Infantino for a possible breach of political neutrality rules over aligning FIFA with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

The IOC said Saturday the matter is closed and FIFA’s development work in Gaza is “entirely in keeping with the role of an international sport federation.”

Trump hosted the peace board event Thursday in Washington, D.C., where Infantino signed an agreement on behalf of the soccer governing body that could see $75 million of its funds invested in Gaza.

Asked Friday about Infantino’s conduct, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said it would look into a possible breach of neutrality. The Olympic members’ oath requires “to always act independently of … political interests.”

Coventry and Infantino are among 107 current invited members of the IOC who include sports leaders, former Olympic athletes, members of Asian and European royal families, former political leaders and diplomats, plus business and cultural figures.

The IOC membership meets Sunday morning in Milan and will welcome two new athlete members elected at the Winter Games. Attendance is not mandatory and it was unclear if Infantino will return after spending several days in the city for IOC meetings ahead of the Feb. 6 opening ceremony.

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

The arrival of AJ Dybantsa gives Wizards hope

For the first time in almost a half-century, the Washington Wizards could be closer to contending for an NBA title with the arrival of AJ Dybantsa. The team drafted the 6-foot-9 forward with the first pick of the 2026 NBA draft after finishing as one of the worst teams in the league in the past three years. They got the No. 1 overall pick after winning the draft lottery in May for the first time since 2010 -- when they drafted John Wall. The Wizards hope, with the arrival of Dybantsa, that they can start winning games and competing for the playoffs with a chance to win their first championship since 1978. In the past three seasons, they finished with a combined record of 50-196. “We’re definitely getting a difference maker on the basketball court. There’s no doubt about that,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said. “What I would want our fans to know night one is that he is a worker. He is a passionate person who loves basketball and will continue to work and get better.”
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