FIFA President Accused of Political Bias in Balogun Red Card Case; IOC Receives Complaint Over Rule Violation

2026 World Cup Key News

Central News Agency, Lausanne, 14th — International wire reports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has received a formal complaint accusing FIFA President Gianni Infantino of repeatedly violating political neutrality rules by supporting former U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, the nonprofit advocacy group FairSquare has requested the IOC to investigate multiple incidents, including Infantino’s possible involvement in suspending the one-match suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun, enabling him to play for the U.S. team in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6.

Infantino has acknowledged receiving a call from Trump, who publicly lobbied for Balogun to play. However, the FIFA President stated he did not interfere in the decision-making process.

Balogun ultimately played in the match, but the U.S. national team was eliminated by Belgium with a final score of 1–4. Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute of the July 1 match for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemovic. The U.S. continued with 10 players and won the Round of 32 match 2–0, resulting in Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension.

Red cards and suspensions are typically non-appealable. However, on July 5, FIFA issued a statement on its official website explaining how regulations applied in this case, without further clarification: "Pursuant to Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, the automatic suspension of U.S. player Balogun will be suspended for a probationary period of one year."

On the day of the U.S. versus Belgium match, Trump said: "I only asked for a re-review because I didn’t think it was a foul. And you know, I’m very good at this sort of thing. I don’t think it was a foul. I think it was just two excellent athletes colliding and getting tangled up."

Trump added: "I think they made a very wise decision. I thought the referee’s call was terrible, yet no one talks about it. When they talk about that red card, they act like it’s nothing—no one discusses the referee’s decision to show the red card."

Infantino released a statement via FIFA’s official website, emphasizing that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently. He stated: "Their independence is crucial to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected."

FairSquare questioned Infantino’s credibility and integrity in its complaint. Infantino became an IOC member in 2020. The group stated he "has an obligation to comply with the strict provisions on political neutrality in the Olympic Charter and IOC Code of Ethics" and added that the IOC has the authority to expel members who fail to uphold these obligations.

FairSquare stated on its website: "As outlined in our complaint, there is compelling evidence that Infantino has clearly violated IOC political neutrality rules on five occasions through public statements or overt expressions of support for the U.S. President."

One of the "serious violations" cited in the complaint is the Balogun incident, where Infantino may have yielded to pressure from Trump. FairSquare also alleged that Infantino’s promotion of the 2026 World Cup FIFA fan website appeared to be part of a data collection initiative linked to entities associated with President Trump.

Another alleged breach involves Infantino attending an event related to Trump’s presidential inauguration in January 2025 and subsequently posting supportive messages on his Instagram account.

Infantino also publicly endorsed Trump for the Nobel Prize in October 2025 and made further pro-Trump statements in November. In December of the previous year, he awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Trump during the World Cup draw ceremony held at the Kennedy Center. (Compiled by: Zhang Xiaowen) 1150715