FIFA president unlikely to face IOC sanctions over Trump contact

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is unlikely to face formal sanctions after a complaint alleged that his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump over American forward Folarin Balogun breached Olympic rules on political neutrality.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) received a formal complaint from human rights organisation FairSquare concerning Infantino’s conduct after Trump said he had called the FIFA president to ask him to review Balogun’s suspension from the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium, The Guardian reports. 

The suspension was subsequently lifted for 12 months in an unprecedented decision by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, allowing Balogun to play in the match.

Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020. The Olympic Charter requires IOC members to act independently of political and commercial interests and prohibits them from accepting mandates or instructions that could interfere with their freedom of action and voting.

FairSquare argues that Infantino’s discussions with Trump amounted to a breach of those rules. Infantino denies the allegation.

However, IOC sources said the organisation was unlikely to launch a formal investigation, citing reluctance to intervene in how an international sports federation applies its own regulations, particularly while internal appeals procedures remain unresolved.

Another source said the balance of power between the IOC and FIFA had shifted significantly over the past two decades, with the Olympic body becoming increasingly dependent on FIFA for commercial revenue and relevance among younger audiences.

Infantino has acknowledged speaking with Trump about the case. A statement issued in his name by FIFA last week said the two men spoke regularly on a range of issues and that Infantino also maintains contact with other heads of state.

Infantino has also said the decision to lift Balogun’s suspension was made independently by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

Balogun had been sent off during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a foul on defender Tarik Muharemović. The American forward struck the defender’s leg from behind with his studs.

On July 5, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to feature in the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium, which the Americans lost 4-1.

Journalist Ben Jacobs later reported that FIFA took the decision after Infantino received a call from the White House. Trump subsequently confirmed that he had contacted Infantino and asked him to reconsider the suspension.

By Sabina Mammadli