FIFA chief says he didn't interfere after Trump called to seek Balogun suspension reprieve

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he played no role in the disciplinary committee's decision to suspend enforcement of US striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, pushing back against a growing controversy over political interference after it emerged that President Donald Trump had personally called Infantino to seek a review of the suspension.

In a statement posted Monday on FIFA Media's X account, Infantino said FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and that the disciplinary committee "autonomously decides on cases based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the specific facts."

"The independence of the judicial bodies is essential for the credibility and integrity of football and must always be respected," he said.

Infantino acknowledged speaking with Trump, saying he regularly discusses World Cup-related matters with the US president. "I received a call from President Trump, just as I receive calls from other heads of state, government officials and football stakeholders," he said.

He drew a line, however, saying he had explained to Trump that legal proceedings were under way before an independent judicial body and that the authority to decide rested with the disciplinary committee. "This is how the FIFA system works," he said.

He added that he reads the committee's decisions after they are announced. "Sometimes I am surprised, sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't — but I always respect the independence and autonomy," he said.

The statement came after Balogun's suspension was overturned following Trump's call to Infantino, fueling accusations that political pressure had influenced the outcome.

Balogun received a red card on Thursday after stomping on an opponent's ankle during the United States' round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup. Under standard rules, he would have been automatically suspended for the round-of-16 clash against Belgium, but FIFA's disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations — a discretionary provision — to suspend enforcement of the ban for one year, allowing Balogun to play.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the decision came amid direct intervention by Trump and a coordinated White House response.

According to the report, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Andrew Giuliani — the White House's World Cup task force chief and son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani — determined the matter was a national issue and moved to act immediately after the match.

They spoke with Trump multiple times on the day of the game, arguing that Balogun's suspension could affect the United States' chances of advancing to the quarterfinals and urging a response.

Trump directed his aides to explore ways to have the ban reversed, and the administration brought in lawyers with close ties to Trump to assess possible legal options.

In the process, the administration scrutinized whether FIFA's use of slow-motion video footage in issuing the red card was appropriate and how the disciplinary rules had been applied, according to the report.

The White House subsequently briefed the US Soccer Federation on its plans, and Trump personally called Infantino to request a review of the ruling.

According to the Journal, Infantino did not promise to overturn the decision in the first call, but told Trump in a follow-up call days later that the suspension would be stayed.

FIFA ultimately applied Article 27 — the committee's discretionary provision — to suspend enforcement of Balogun's ban for one year.

Trump celebrated the decision on his Truth Social account, writing: "Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and correcting a massive injustice."

European football authorities and the Belgian Football Association have pushed back sharply, arguing that reversing a disciplinary ruling at the request of the host nation's president undermines the sport's integrity.