FIFA president Gianni Infantino broke his silence Monday morning on the decision to suspend USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban, news that rocked the World Cup as he’s now allowed to play vs. Belgium Monday evening in the Round of 16.
Infantino explained how the decision was reached and gave his side of the phone call he had with President Trump, who earlier Monday said in the Oval Office he asked Infantino to review the red card but “didn’t tell him what to do.”
“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance,” Infantino said in a statement.
“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.
“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, 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.”
Balogun was controversially issued a red card during the USMNT’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina after a slow-motion VAR review. The red card resulted in an immediate ejection and automatic one-game ban.
But Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code states “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” Balogun was given a one-year probationary period in conjunction with the decision to suspend his suspension.
Belgium was incensed by the decision, with coach Rudi Garcia comparing it to an April Fools’ joke while its soccer body launched an appeal, arguing allowing Balogun to play “crossed a red line.”
The Post’s Mark Cannizzaro reported Sunday that U.S. Soccer threatened legal action against FIFA for incorrectly applying its VAR process, as they were prepared to raise the issue with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The basis for U.S. Soccer’s argument was that, based on VAR guidelines, slow-motion replay shouldn’t be used to determine intent and severity on a foul.
“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued,” Infantino said. “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.”
