Infantino: I respect FIFA's independent disciplinary committee decisions

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has responded to public criticism concerning a decision by the organization's independent disciplinary committee. The controversy arose after FIFA overturned a red card suspension for American forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in a World Cup knockout match against Belgium.

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FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply FIFA's disciplinary code and make decisions based on applicable regulations and the specific facts presented to them. Their independence is crucial for the credibility and integrity of football and this must always be respected.

Infantino stressed the fundamental principle of FIFA's governance: the independence of its judicial bodies. He stated that these committees operate autonomously, applying FIFA's disciplinary code and making rulings based on applicable regulations and the specific facts presented to them. The FIFA president asserted that this independence is crucial for the credibility and integrity of football and must always be respected.

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Yes, I regularly discuss World Cup issues with the President of the United States, and I received a call from President Donald Trump on this matter, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government representatives, football stakeholders, and business leaders from all over the world on many different topics.

Addressing reports of a call from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Balogun case, Infantino confirmed the conversation. He explained that he informed Trump about the ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the matter would be decided by the competent authorities in due course. Infantino reiterated that this is how FIFA's system functions and is a principle he will always uphold.

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During our conversation, I explained that a legal process is underway involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies, and the matter will be decided by the competent authorities in due course. This is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

While acknowledging that he reads the disciplinary committee's decisions and sometimes finds them surprising or disagrees with them, Infantino maintained that he always respects their rulings and the autonomy of the bodies making them. He concluded that personal like or dislike of a decision is irrelevant, and respecting independent institutions and the rule of law is what safeguards the integrity of competitions and FIFA's credibility.

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I read the decisions of the FIFA disciplinary committee when they are issued. Sometimes they surprise me. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I do not. However, what I always do is respect their decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them.