Infantino confirms Trump call over player ban, stresses FIFA independence
Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Sources not specified
Outcome reported
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed he received a call from then-U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a player's suspension.
- Infantino told Trump the case was an ongoing legal process and FIFA's judicial bodies make independent decisions.
- The suspension of American player Folarin Balogun was initially for a red card but later suspended for one year, a decision criticized by Belgium and UEFA but praised by Trump.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed he spoke with then-U.S. President Donald Trump about a suspension for American player Folarin Balogun. Infantino stated that he informed Trump the matter was under legal review and emphasized that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently.
The case of the suspension of Folarin Balogun was in an ongoing legal process.
Trump had publicly requested FIFA reconsider the suspension for Balogun, who received a red card during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, making him ineligible for the subsequent game against Belgium. However, FIFA later suspended the ban for one year, contingent on Balogun not committing a similar offense within that period.
FIFA's judicial bodies make decisions independently and autonomously.
The decision drew criticism from Belgium and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Despite the backlash, Trump characterized FIFA's move as the "right decision."
the right decision.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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