By Desire Emmanuel
President of world football governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino, on Monday, July 6, gave details of what transpired between him and President Donald Trump that led to the withdrawal of the red card issued to USA player, Folarin Balogun, during the World Cup match between the country and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Infantino gave the details in a statement on FIFA media X handle shortly after Trump said he was instrumental in the decision of FIFA in withdrawing the red card, a decision that has been frowned upon by the European football governing body, UEFA.
He said: “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.”
Folarin Balogun will play in his team’s last-16 game against Belgium on Monday after FIFA announced on Sunday that it had suspended the red card and accompanying one-game ban he received
FIFA’s disciplinary committee said it made the decision in line with Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, which allows it to suspend red cards so long as the discipline is not realted to match-fixing.
