Infantino’s first official response to the Balogun crisis

Accepting Trump’s intervention

Gianni Infantino, the president of the Federation of International Football Associations, has responded to accusations of breaking the law by allowing American striker Folarin Balogun to play in the round of 16 against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup despite being sent off in the previous match.

This came after that US President Donald Trump said that he contacted InfantinoHe called for a review of USA forward Folarin Balogun’s red card, stressing that the incident did not merit a dismissal and that the USA team should advance to the playoffs with its full roster.

Infantino said in the official statement of FIFA. “I have reviewed the public comments on the FIFA Independent Disciplinary Committee’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun and I would like to reaffirm the fundamental principle of governance at FIFA.”

“FIFA judicial bodies are independent. They act independently, apply FIFA’s disciplinary code and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the trust and integrity of football and must be respected at all times.”

“Yes, I regularly discuss World Cup-related issues with the President of the United States, and I have already received a call from President Donald Trump in that regard, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, soccer stakeholders and corporate executives from around the world on various issues. This is how the FIFA system works and it is a principle that I will always stick to.”

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued, sometimes I am surprised by them, sometimes I agree, sometimes I disagree.”

“But what I always do is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we like the decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and FIFA’s credibility at all times.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“I have seen the public comments on the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee regarding the suspension of Folarin Balogun and I would like to reiterate the fundamental principle of FIFA governance.

“FIFA judicial… pic.twitter.com/FzeWuMQIXf

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 6, 2026

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