Amidst the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. He acknowledged receiving a call from US President Trump but said that he always respects the decisions, whether he likes them or not.
Washington DC [यूएस]July 6 (ANI): Amid the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said FIFA’s judicial bodies work independently and free from outside influence, making disciplinary decisions based on the disciplinary code and the facts of each case. Infantino acknowledged receiving a call from US President Donald Trump about Balogun’s suspension, but said he informed Trump that the matter was being handled through FIFA’s independent legal process. Infantino said that although he may sometimes agree or disagree with disciplinary decisions, he always respects the decisions and the autonomy of FIFA’s judicial bodies, stressing that their independence is essential for the integrity and credibility of football.
Infantino said, “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the Independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee relating to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I wish to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance. FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases on the basis of the applicable rules and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and must always be respected. Should.”
Infantino’s response to Trump’s call
FIFA President Gianni Infantino: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the Independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee relating to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance. “FIFA’s judicial… pic.twitter.com/FzeWuMQIXf — FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 6, 2026
He continued, “Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I received a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that a legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies is ongoing and the matter will be decided by the competent bodies in due course. FIFA That’s how the system works, and that’s a principle I’ll always uphold. When I read FIFA disciplinary committee decisions, sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.”
The FIFA chief stressed that the rule of law is the factor that protects FIFA’s credibility at all times. Infantino concluded, “However, I always 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.”
What is the whole controversy?
The controversy follows FIFA’s announcement that the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code was suspended following the intervention of US President Donald Trump, in whom Trump urged the organization to review the matter. FIFA announced that the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension has been suspended under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. In its statement, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee said, “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
Trump had demanded intervention
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump said he spoke to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to “review” footballer Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension, which was caused by a red card. Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2–0 round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FIFA later announced that the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had been suspended under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, following the intervention of Trump, who urged the organization to review the case.
Trump said, according to C-SPAN, “I talked to Gianni, who is very respectful. It wasn’t a foul, it wasn’t even a violation, it was two guys who were running at full speed and ran into each other. You… you can’t put your foot right on somebody else’s foot when you’re going… No, these were two great athletes that got into a mess and this referee, who is a little questionable if you look at his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t want to cause controversy. “But he (Balogun) did nothing wrong, and he is a very important player. So, I asked for a review from someone who is very respectful.” (ANI)
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