Request follows Donald Trump’s admission that he personally contacted Fifa’s president asking for the case to be reconsidered
A non-profit organisation has asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to investigate whether Gianni Infantino had any role in Fifa’s decision to lift the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
FairSquare is a group that campaigns on governance, human rights and integrity in sport. It argues that any intervention by Infantino after a request from US President Donald Trump would raise concerns over political influence and the independence of sport.
Balogun was sent off in USA’s round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. Under Article 10.5 of Fifa’s World Cup regulations, the straight red card carried an automatic one-match suspension.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee later suspended the sanction, allowing the 25-year-old striker to return for the last-16 tie against Belgium. Balogun started the match, although USA were beaten 4-1 and eliminated from the tournament.
After the decision was confirmed and sparked a furore, Trump admitted he had personally contacted Infantino to ask for the case to be reconsidered.
“All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I think they made a brilliant decision. I think the referee’s call was horrible.”
Infantino has rejected any suggestion that he influenced the disciplinary process. Indeed he said that Fifa’s judicial bodies operate independently and reach decisions without outside involvement.
“They operate autonomously, apply the Fifa Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them,” Fifa’s president said in a statement. “Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.”
Infantino confirmed that he discussed the issue with Trump but said he told the US president that the relevant committees were independent. He added that he speaks regularly with Trump and other heads of state on a range of matters.
FairSquare argues that any intervention following Trump’s request would conflict with the principles expected of an IOC member. Infantino joined the committee in 2020 and said at the time: “I will always act independently of commercial and political interests as well as of any racial or religious consideration.”
The IOC charter states that members must remain independent of political and commercial interests and must not accept “from governments, organisations or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.”
