FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump influenced the decision to overturn Timothy Balogun’s red card ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing speculation surrounding the disciplinary ruling, Infantino stressed that the decision was made exclusively by FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee after reviewing the incident in line with the organisation’s established regulations.
He reiterated that matters relating to refereeing decisions, suspensions, and disciplinary appeals are handled through FIFA’s official judicial processes without interference from political leaders or external parties.
The clarification comes amid heightened public interest in player eligibility and disciplinary decisions ahead of the World Cup, with FIFA seeking to reassure fans and stakeholders of the transparency and independence of its procedures.
Infantino said FIFA remains committed to upholding fairness, integrity, and impartiality in all disciplinary matters, adding that the governing body will continue to apply its rules consistently across international competitions.