FIFA President Gianni Infantino today, Monday, 6 July 2026, reacted to comments made by the President of the United States, who stated he personally called Infantino regarding Folarin Balogun’s red‑card suspension.
Softfootball gathered that Infantino acknowledged the public discussions surrounding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee, emphasising that the body operates autonomously and must remain free from external influence.
This was his exact statement:
“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. 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. 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.”
With this development, several countries have begun considering appeals for red or yellow cards issued to their players. However, there is hope that Infantino’s firm clarification will help calm rising tensions and reinforce trust in FIFA’s disciplinary processes.
