Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban

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The Independent

6 July 2026

Fifa

President

Gianni Infantino

has been forced

to clarify a conversation he had

with US president

Donald Trump

ahead of

Folarin Balogun

’s red card being suspended.

Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the calf of the defender before landing on, and twisting, his ankle.

The forward has been an influential player for the

World Cup 2026

co-hosts and would have missed the last-16 clash with

Belgium

due to a one-match ban following his dismissal.

But it came as a surprise to see the

independent Fifa Disciplinary Committee invoke Article 27

of the disciplinary code - which states: “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure” - and suspend Balogun’s red card penalty for a year meaning he can play in the game.

That decision followed a conversation between Trump and Infantino

leading to widespread rumours

of the US president influencing and impacting on the

World Cup

However, Infantino defended his conversation with Trump and explained how the process had remained an independent judgement.

On Monday he released a statement which reads: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent

FIFA

Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of

, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the

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.

open image in gallery

Folarin Balogun has had his red card suspended and will be able to play for the

United States

against

(Getty)

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the

with the President of the

, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. 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.

“I read the decisions of the

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

at all times.”

The decision to allow suspend Balogun’s red card has raised concerns from the FAs of numerous European nations competing in the

with the

Belgian FA considering an appeal

to reverse the decision and the European governing body

Uefa

calling out the integrity of the competition.

Belgium face the

in the last-16 at 1am BST on Tuesday 6 July in

Belgium FA to challenge Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for USA clash as FIFA row escalates

Football Today

Rudi Garcia criticises FIFA move to lift Folarin Balogun ban before USA tie

OffsAIde

Folarin Balogun cleared to face Belgium after FIFA suspends automatic ban

Donald Trump thanks FIFA as Folarin Balogun’s ban is suspended before United States v Belgium

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