FIFA president Gianni Infantino released a statement Monday defending the global soccer governing body's decision to suspend USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's one-match red-card ban ahead of the World Cup's round of 16.
FIFA has been heavily criticized for allowing Balogun to face Belgium on Monday after he received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. A one-match ban is automatically issued after a player is red-carded at the World Cup.
"FIFA's judicial bodies are independent," Infantino wrote. "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."
FIFA took another look at Balogun's suspension after U.S. President Donald Trump personally called Infantino to ask for the incident to be reviewed.
"I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said Monday.
Infantino downplayed his conversation with Trump, saying he receives calls from other heads of state. Infantino and Trump have developed a close relationship in recent years, and Trump is expected to present the trophy to the winner of the World Cup final July 19.
"I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States," Infantino said. "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.
"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."
Belgium has repeatedly questioned FIFA about its U-turn on Balogun's ban. The Belgian soccer federation said Monday morning that it learned the news through media reports and still hasn't received a copy of the decision from FIFA after requesting one.
"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued," Infantino added. "Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree."
