FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Monday evening, according to a report, that he spoke with President Donald Trump about the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun, but reiterated that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently. 'I told Trump the matter is under review,' Infantino said, adding that he sometimes reads court decisions and is sometimes surprised by them.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino admitted on Monday evening that he spoke with US President Donald Trump about the red card shown to American striker Folarin Balogun, but reiterated that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently, according to a report from N12.
Infantino's comments mark a slight shift in tone: earlier on Monday, he had stated that he told Trump the bodies are independent, but did not explicitly confirm the conversation. The new statement adds that he 'sometimes reads the decisions of the court' and is 'sometimes surprised' by them.
The controversy began when Trump personally lobbied Infantino to overturn the red card, as The Zioneer reported on Sunday. The reversal sparked criticism from UEFA, the Belgian Football Association, and the EU Sports Commissioner, who argued that political intervention undermines the integrity of sport.
It remains unclear whether any further action will be taken by sports bodies or whether the Trump administration considers the matter closed.
3 developments
- StrongUEFA issues dramatic statement against FIFA over overturning of US player's red card
- StrongTrump says he didn't know what a red card was, calls referee's power 'illogical' in expanded remarks on FIFA intervention
- Developing"If I were the coach I wouldn't field them": Israeli panelists react to Trump intervention that led FIFA to cancel US player's red card
- DevelopingFIFA president Infantino tells critics to 'chill' over Somali referee's US entry denial
Source and signal
- Internal intake