Gianni Infantino Defends FIFA’s Judicial Independence Amid Balogun Row, Acknowledges Trump Call

Last Updated:July 06, 2026, 23:31 IST

FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirmed the independence of FIFA's judicial arm in Folarin Balogun's suspension, despite a call from US President Donald Trump.

Amid the row over Folarin Balogun’s suspension, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that the governing body’s judicial arm functions independently, making disciplinary decisions in line with the Disciplinary Code and the facts of each case, free from external influence.

Infantino acknowledged receiving a call from US President Donald Trump regarding Balogun’s suspension, but clarified that he informed him the matter was being handled through FIFA’s independent legal process. He added that while he may at times agree or disagree with disciplinary rulings, he respects the decisions and autonomy of FIFA’s judicial bodies, stressing that their independence is vital to the integrity and credibility of football.

“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," Infantino said.

“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," he added.

The FIFA chief further underlined that adherence to the rule of law safeguards the organisation’s credibility at all times.

“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," Infantino concluded.

The controversy follows FIFA’s decision to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, a move that came after an intervention from Trump urging the organisation to review the case.

About the Author

Aakash Biswas

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I...Read More

News sports football Gianni Infantino Defends FIFA’s Judicial Independence Amid Balogun Row, Acknowledges Trump Call

Read More