Infantino breaks silence on Balogun ban controversy: 'FIFA's judicial bodies are independent'

WASHINGTON, DC: After a huge controversy over the suspension of Folarin Balogun's red card following the intervention from President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino broke his silence to clarify that the decision was not politically influenced and that the judicial body was independent.

Huge controversy erupted after the governing body FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension would be deferred for a one-year probationary period, allowing the key US player to remain available for the clash against Belgium.

The development came after Trump reportedly asked Infantino to rethink his decision to ban Balogun.

Gianni Infantino broke silence on Folarin Balogun's red card decision

FIFA President Gianni Infantino broke his silence on the federation’s decision to reverse a red card handed to American striker Folarin Balogun last week.

“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 in a statement issued on Monday, July 6.

"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," he added. 

“Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected,” he said.

Gianni Infantino reveals what he discussed with Trump

Infantino further acknowledged that Trump had called him and discussed the red card action against Folarin Balogun.

He told the president, "There is 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 continued.

“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,” he added.

The regulatory body is facing heavy criticism for allegedly engaging in corruption by making decisions according to President Donald Trump's wishes.

President Trump, during the press conference on Monday, confirmed that he had called Gianni Infantino to request that FIFA review its decision on Balogun, but did not force the regulatory body to change its decision.