FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed the independence of the organization’s judicial bodies, insisting that all disciplinary matters are handled without external influence, even after receiving a phone call from United States President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Infantino stressed that FIFA’s judicial system operates independently and remains vital to the credibility and integrity of world football.
“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and it must always be respected,” he said.
Infantino confirmed that he regularly discusses matters relating to the FIFA World Cup with President Trump and revealed that the U.S. leader recently contacted him regarding an ongoing disciplinary case.
According to the FIFA president, he informed Trump that the matter was already before FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and would be decided through the organization’s established legal process.
“Yes, I regularly speak with the President of the United States about World Cup matters, and I did receive a call from President Donald Trump. During our conversation, I explained that an official judicial process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies was underway, and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent authorities,” Infantino stated.
He emphasized that FIFA’s disciplinary framework must be respected regardless of external interest or public opinion.
“That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle I will always defend,” he added.
Infantino also acknowledged that he does not always agree with the outcomes of disciplinary decisions but said respecting the independence of the judicial bodies remains non-negotiable.
“I read the decisions of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee when they are published. Sometimes they surprise me. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the independence of the bodies that make them,” he said.
