US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he called Fifa boss Gianni Infantino directly to ask him to "review" a red card handed down to one of the US team's breakout stars, Folarin Balogun, last week.
On Sunday, Fifa stunned the sports world by reversing that red card and giving Balogun a one-year probationary period instead, using its rarely invoked Article 27 from the Fifa Disciplinary Code. The rule is often referred to as the "Cristiano Ronaldo Rule" after a Fifa disciplinary committee infamously invoked the article in November last year, ensuring Ronaldo would be eligible for Portugal's opening matches in the 2026 World Cup.
The move has once again put the spotlight on Fifa for cosying up to the US president over the past year, as it sought to ensure a smoothly run and profitable tournament.
Shortly after Trump's comments, Infantino released his own statement, insisting that while he speaks to heads of state regularly about the World Cup, "FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously."
"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. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions," the Fifa boss wrote.
