FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the independence of the governing body’s judicial process following widespread criticism over the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun.
Infantino, in a statement released on Monday, said the FIFA Disciplinary Committee operates independently and reaches its decisions based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code, applicable regulations and the facts presented in each case.
According to him, the autonomy of FIFA’s judicial bodies is fundamental to preserving the credibility and integrity of football.
“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,” Infantino said.
“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.”
The FIFA president also confirmed that United States President Donald Trump contacted him over the matter but said he made it clear that the disciplinary process was beyond his influence.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Infantino acknowledged that he does not always agree with decisions taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee but maintained that respecting the body’s independence is non-negotiable.
“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 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,” Infantino said.
