FIFA President Gianni Infantino has moved to calm growing controversy after the governing body’s disciplinary panel suspended the red card given to United States forward Folarin Balogun in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision critics say followed pressure from the White House.
Balogun’s red card, shown by referee Raphael Claus after a foul, was later “suspended” by FIFA in what commentators called an unprecedented reversal. Multiple media outlets reported that senior U.S. officials, and ultimately President Donald Trump, lobbied FIFA to intervene.
Trump appeared to confirm the outreach and publicly criticized referee Claus, calling his record “suspicious” and questioning the legitimacy of the sending-off.
“I don’t want to say this because I don’t like to create controversy, but he’s very suspicious,” Trump said, adding that the referee had made an unbelievable decision.
Trump’s remarks sparked immediate backlash from parts of the football community and media, who viewed the remarks as an assault on match officials and FIFA’s disciplinary processes.
In response to the controversial decision, Infantino issued a statement stressing the independence of FIFA’s judicial bodies and explaining his own contact with the U.S. president.
Infantino confirmed he had received a call from President Trump, something he said is routine, since he speaks with heads of state, government officials and other stakeholders on a range of matters. He emphasized, however, that those judicial bodies “operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.”
“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. “Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.”
Infantino added that during his call with Trump he explained that a legal process was ongoing and that the competent bodies would decide the case in due course, framing the suspension as the product of FIFA’s internal procedures rather than external influence.
The episode raises fresh questions about political influence in football governance and the protection of referees from public attack.
Supporters of Balogun and U.S. soccer welcomed the suspension as a win for the player and the national team, while refereeing bodies and critics warned the controversy could undermine officials and set a troubling precedent if political pressure is perceived to sway disciplinary outcomes.
Infantino said further: “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.”
Meanwhile FIFA has reportedly denied Belgium’s appeal against Balogun’s return saying he remains eligible to play. for USMNT Monday night.
The request was deemed ‘inadmissible’ and the ruling will proceed as is.
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