Overview
- FIFA suspended the one‑match ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun and allowed him to play in the last‑16 match after reports that President Trump phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to contest the red card.
- Infantino and FIFA say the disciplinary committee acted independently and that the suspension was lifted through formal disciplinary procedures, with Infantino denying that the call affected the outcome.
- Senior football figures and leagues condemned the move, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas calling it the “tip of the iceberg” and UEFA officials warning the decision sets a dangerous precedent for political interference.
- Dozens of European Parliament members, advocacy groups and others have filed letters and ethics complaints requesting investigations into Infantino and possible breaches of FIFA’s political‑neutrality rules.
- Despite reputational damage and calls for resignation, reporting notes FIFA’s strong World Cup revenues and broad support among many member federations, making an immediate leadership change unlikely before the 2027 election.