FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the independence of the organisation’s judicial process after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension.
The controversy erupted after FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee suspended for a probationary period of one year the automatic one-match ban imposed on the United States striker following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The ruling allowed Balogun to feature in the Americans’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium and has since triggered criticism from UEFA, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the Royal Belgian Football Association. With questions mounting over whether political pressure influenced the outcome, Infantino issued a statement insisting the decision was taken independently and without interference.
“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance,” Infantino said. “FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.”
Infantino also acknowledged speaking with Trump before the disciplinary ruling but maintained that the conversation had no impact on the process.
“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.”
He added that he made it clear the matter would be handled solely by FIFA’s judicial system.
“During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.”
The FIFA president also revealed that he does not influence disciplinary outcomes, even when he disagrees with them.
“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.” “What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”
Infantino’s statement is the strongest response from FIFA’s leadership since the controversy began and comes as debate continues over whether the Balogun ruling has set a precedent for disciplinary decisions at the World Cup.
