FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s handling of the disciplinary case involving United States forward Folarin Balogun, insisting FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently and are not influenced by outside pressure.
His comments follow widespread scrutiny of the decision by FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, allowing him to play despite being sent off earlier in the tournament.
Infantino in a statement, said FIFA’s judicial bodies apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code independently and decide cases based only on the regulations and the facts before them.
“Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.”
He also confirmed receiving a phone call from United States President Donald Trump about Balogun’s suspension, but dismissed claims that the conversation influenced the outcome.
Infantino said he regularly discusses FIFA World Cup matters with Trump, other world leaders, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives. During their conversation, he said he made it clear that the case was being handled through FIFA’s independent judicial process.
“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.”
He acknowledged that he does not always agree with decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee, but said respecting the independence of FIFA’s judicial bodies is essential.
“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.”
The decision to lift Balogun’s automatic suspension has drawn criticism from several football authorities, while FIFA maintains the case was handled in line with its established disciplinary procedures.
