SportFootballGianni InfantinoGianni Infantino has been heavily criticised after USA striker Folarin Balogun saw his red card lifted for their last-16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday, with Donald Trump having intervened17:20, 06 Jul 2026Updated 17:47, 06 Jul 2026Gianni Infantino has admitted he did receive a call from Donald Trump before lifting Folarin Balogun’s red card - but insisted FIFA remain “independent.” FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban for a year has caused widespread criticism and fury towards Infantino.‌But Infantino hit back and said: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.‌“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.‌“Yes, 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, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.Get the latest World Cup 2026 news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletter“During our conversation, 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. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.‌“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.Do you agree with the decision? Have your say in the comments section.‌“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.”It emerged seven hours before kick-off (1am UK time) that the FIFA appeal committee had ruled that Belgium's appeal against Balogun's return is inadmissible. “The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” a statement confirmed.Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.Article continues belowContent cannot be displayed without consentChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Gianni InfantinoWorld Cup 2026Donald TrumpThomas TuchelWhatsAppFIFAFIFA World Cup