Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFifa president Gianni Infantino is facing widespread criticism and calls for his resignation following the overturning of Folarin Balogun’s suspension. Balogun, who was sent off while playing for the United States, was allowed to participate in the subsequent match against Belgium after a Fifa disciplinary committee suspended his ban. The decision came after a personal intervention from Donald Trump, who publicly said he had called Infantino to request a “review” of the striker’s sanction. Prominent figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Gary Lineker, Sepp Blatter, and Ed Davey have condemned the apparent political interference, questioning the integrity of football. Infantino, who has served as Fifa president since 2016 and intends to stand for re-election in 2027, is accused of allowing external influence to compromise sporting regulations. In fullFifa president Gianni Infantino faces calls to resign as Gary Lineker joins backlash to World Cup controversyMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun's red card suspension after President Trump reportedly called FIFA President Infantino, raising major sports governance

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), President Gianni Infantino has defended the independence of the world football governing body's judicial system following…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUSA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban,…

The former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed his successor Gianni Infantino over their controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup ban

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday he questioned the football governing body's decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun's red card ban.

US President Donald Trump's phone call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to have the red card for the co-hosts star striker Folarin Balogun reviewed is the latest instance of…

WASHINGTON, July 6 : FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended world soccer’s disciplinary process on Monday amid an international wave of criticism after U.S. President Donald…

WASHINGTON, July 6 : FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended world soccer’s disciplinary process on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump praised FIFA’s decision to suspend…

Trump calling FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to have the red card for US striker reviewed is not the first time FIFA World Cup has seen political interference.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTrump brags about calling FIFA president to…

Donald Trump has made some interesting claims on the referee that sent off Folarin Balogun and clarified his involvement in the decision to suspend his ban

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAn awkward moment unfolded at the Oval…

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the independence of world football's judicial bodies amid widespread debate over the decision to overturn the

President Donald Trump's call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino preceded FIFA's decision to reverse a red card ban for USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against…

FIFA, along with Infantino, has been widely criticised amid suggestions of political interference from the White House.

FIFA is facing massive backlash after overturning Folarin Balogun's red card suspension ahead of the United States' crucial FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash with Belgium. The…

July 6 : Human rights group FairSquare says U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention over Folarin Balogun's red-card ban should be investigated as a breach of FIFA's rules on…

Follow LIVE updates as the 2026 World Cup continues with FIFA president Gianni Infantino responding to comments made by US President Donald Trump