FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed the independence of FIFA’s judicial system after revealing that he received a call from Donald Trump regarding the suspension of Folarin Balogun.
The controversy stems from Balogun’s red card during the United States’ FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia.
In a statement, Infantino stressed that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently and make decisions solely based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the facts presented in each case.
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 said.
The FIFA president acknowledged that he regularly discusses World Cup-related matters with President Trump and confirmed that the U.S. leader contacted him over Balogun’s suspension.
According to Infantino, he informed Trump that the matter was already before FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and would be determined through the established legal process.
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.”
Infantino also admitted that he does not always agree with disciplinary decisions but insisted that respecting the autonomy of FIFA’s judicial institutions is essential to preserving the integrity of the game.
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.”
Earlier, President Trump disclosed that he had personally appealed to Infantino to have Balogun’s red card reviewed.
Speaking publicly on the matter, Trump argued that the incident did not warrant a dismissal.
I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man [Infantino] who is highly respected, and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold.”
It wasn’t a foul, and wasn’t even an infraction. These were two great athletes who got tangled up, and the referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect.”