Former FIFA president questions ‘political power’ after Trump-Infantino call over Balogun red card

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Monday joined those raising questions about soccer’s governing body overturning the one-game suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun after President Trump spoke to Blatter’s successor, Gianni Infantino, about the matter.

“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies,” Blatter wrote on social platform X.

“If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?” he added, using the Latin phrase meaning “Where are you going?” “Football must never become a playground for political power.”

Blatter, 90, served as president of FIFA from 1998 until FIFA’s ethics committee removed him from office amid allegations of bribery and financial mismanagement. Under his leadership, FIFA allegedly accepted bribes from the Qatari government in exchange for hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup.

As part of the corruption charges levied against him and his subsequent removal from office, Blatter cannot participate in FIFA activities until next year.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced on Sunday it was delaying Balogun’s one-game ban, triggered by his receipt of a red card during the U.S. squad’s 2-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 on Wednesday, for a “probationary period.”

That makes the striker, who leads the Americans with three goals at the World Cup, available to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium — set for 8 p.m. EDT Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Trump on Monday confirmed he spoke to Infantino after the U.S.-Belgium game and “asked for a review” of the play, which saw Balogun and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović collide while battling for the ball. Trump also questioned the officiating crew’s use of instant replay to dole out the penalty.

“That wasn’t even an infraction,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “That was two guys, running full speed, that happened to crash into each other.”

The Royal Belgian Football Association appealed the decision from FIFA, saying Sunday it was “astonished” by the reversal. Belgian coach Rudi Garcia and Norwegian coach Ståle Solbakken also sharply criticized the reversal, with the latter calling it a “big mistake” by FIFA.

Infantino said in a statement Monday that while he spoke to Trump about Balogun’s suspension, he “explained” to the president “there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies” regarding the issue.

The disciplinary committee, which Infantino does not sit on, is chaired by Mohammed Al Kamali of the United Arab Emirates and comprises 17 other members, none of whom is American. Infantino also said FIFA’s judicial bodies “are independent” and decide cases based on “applicable regulations” and the facts.

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued,” Infantino added. “Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

“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. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

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Former FIFA president questions ‘political power’ after Trump-Infantino call over Balogun red card

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