FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump contacted him about the disciplinary case of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. However, Infantino emphasized that FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban was made independently by FIFA’s judicial bodies.
Balogun received a red card for stamping on defender Tarik Muharemovic during the U.S.’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32 on July 1. Despite the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposing a one-match suspension on Balogun, the enforcement of the sanction was suspended for a one-year probationary period under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The ruling faced criticism from the Belgian Football Association, which expressed “astonishment” at the decision. UEFA also condemned the ruling, stating that it had “crossed a red line” and could have negative consequences for the sport as a whole. In response, Infantino reiterated the independence of FIFA’s judicial bodies, emphasizing that they operate autonomously and decide cases based on applicable regulations and specific facts.
Infantino acknowledged that Trump had contacted him regarding the case, mentioning that discussions with various stakeholders, including heads of state and business executives, are common. He explained the ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and highlighted the importance of respecting their decisions for the credibility and integrity of football.
