Gianni Infantino cleared of violations by FIFA ethics committee

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been cleared of breaching the world governing body's code of ethics.

Infantino had been investigated by FIFA's independent ethics committee over "potential breaches" of rules relating to conflicts of interest, loyalty and offering and accepting gifts.

The weeks-long investigation also examined Infantino's hiring of senior advisers and refusal to sign his working contract since February.

However, these were judged to be "internal compliance issues rather than an ethical matter."

An ethics committee statement read: "After conducting both preliminary and formal investigation proceedings, the investigatory chamber of the independent ethics committee has decided to conclude its investigations concerning FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"It was found that no violation of the FIFA code of ethics (FCE) had been committed by Mr Infantino.

"The adjudicatory chamber took note of and accepted the decision of the investigatory chamber."

Infantino took charge of the game's global governing body in February, replacing the embattled Sepp Blatter, and vowed to "restore the image and respect of FIFA".

A statement from the 46-year-old read: "The president would like to thank all those who cooperated with the ethics committee to ensure that the facts were heard and the truth prevailed.

"With this matter now resolved, the president and the FIFA administration will continue to focus on developing football as well as their efforts to improve the organisation.

"Tangible progress has been made in key areas such as ensuring that those who have acted against the interests of football are identified and held to account, improving FIFA's governance and repairing its reputation, and restoring trust with its stakeholders. This critical work will continue."