FIFA boss Gianni Infantino under IOC scrutiny over Balogun World Cup ban lifted

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is under scrutiny after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) received a complaint investigating his alleged role in overturning Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension. The complaint also accuses Infantino of repeatedly violating IOC rules on political neutrality by supporting US President Donald Trump.

The complaint was filed by the FairSquare advocacy group. She asked the IOC to investigate several of Infantino’s actions, including the decision to allow Balogun to start the U.S.’s round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6.

Balogun received a straight red card in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. The American striker was automatically suspended for the next match. According to FIFA rules, such a suspension cannot be appealed.

However, FIFA made the announcement on July 5 the suspension was put on probation for one year according to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The governing body did not provide any further explanation for the decision.

The announcement came after Trump publicly called on FIFA to review the red card. Infantino later confirmed that he had received a call from the US president. However, he denied influencing the process.

Infantino said FIFA’s judicial committees act independently. He added that their independence is essential for the credibility and integrity of football.

Balogun made his comeback against Belgiumbut the United States suffered a 4–1 defeat and was eliminated from the World Cup.

FAIRSQUARE QUESTIONS INFANTINO’S BEHAVIOR

FairSquare claims Infantino, who has been an IOC member since 2020, is bound by the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics. The organization says it must remain politically neutral.

They say there is “compelling evidence” that Infantino committed five violations of those rules through public statements and actions in support of Trump.

The Balogun case is described as one of the most serious allegations. FairSquare says Infantino may have caved to political pressure after Trump’s intervention.

The complaint also alleges that Infantino promotes a FIFA fan platform allegedly linked to entities associated with Trump. It also refers to posts on social media after Trump’s inauguration, his public support for Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and his presentation of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to the US president.

FairSquare filed a complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee earlier in December. This complaint was supported by the Norwegian Football Association. Fifty members of the European Parliament also supported this move in a separate submission on June 29.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

15 Jul 2026 08:00 IST