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Infantino told Trump FIFA disciplinary body is 'independent' / Photo: Frederic J. BROWN - AFP
Infantino told Trump FIFA disciplinary body is 'independent'
Gianni Infantino insisted on Monday that FIFA's disciplinary process was independent after widespread criticism of the bombshell decision to reprieve US World Cup star Folarin Balogun after an intervention from Donald Trump.
Trump confirmed Monday he had contacted FIFA chief Infantino about the red card that Balogun -- the US team's outstanding player at the World Cup -- received against Bosnia-Herzegovina that would have ruled him out of the last-16 match with Belgium on Monday.
In a decision that stunned the football world, FIFA said Sunday it was suspending the card, allowing Balogun to play in the game in Seattle.
"I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," Infantino said in a statement.
Trump told reporters at the White House he had called Infantino, with whom he has built a close relationship, "because I didn't think it was a foul".
"All I did was ask for a review, I didn't say you have to do this," Trump added.
Balogun received a straight red card following a video review for stepping on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's foot in the round-of-32 match that the US won 2-0.
Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban.
But FIFA says the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a decision that sparked widespread condemnation from the football world.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was an April Fool's joke, while Norway's coach Stale Solbakken said it was "a big mistake" by FIFA.
Infantino added that he often discussed events at the World Cup with Trump.
"I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump," he said.
"Just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues."
Infantino said he always read the decisions handed down and "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," he said.
Whether Infantino's remarks satisfy the Belgian football assoLciation and stems the tide of criticism of the decision remains to be seen.
The said earlier having "still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter" it would challenge the decision but without specifying to who.
"It (the FA) therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match," read their statement.
The FIFA ruling prompted a stinging rebuke from European football's governing body UEFA who said it had "crossed a red line".
UEFA warned of the ramifications for the sport as a whole.
"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because is played everywhere with the same laws," it said.
"A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.
"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
Infantino has cultivated close links with Trump and is a frequent visitor to the White House. Last year he awarded Trump a newly created FIFA peace prize.
M.Costa--INP
