Gianni Infantino accused of corrupting World Cup on Donald Trump’s orders

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been accused of corruption after the decision to rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension until after the World Cup.

The United States of America striker was sent off during their round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a reckless tackle on Tarik Muharemovic, and he was set to miss their last-16 clash against Belgium as a result.

However, in a hugely controversial decision, FIFA have confirmed that Balogun will be available for the match, with his one-game ban set to be served after the World Cup.

In a statement published on BBC Sport, world football’s governing body said: “In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

Speaking on his Truth Social platform, USA president Donald Trump said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Ben Jacobs reports that The White House made a “direct call” to FIFA to ask Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, although FIFA insist this made no impact on the decision.

Infantino is close friends with Trump and he even handed the US president the first ever ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ ahead of the World Cup. Trump then sanctioned the United States’ invasion of Iran in February.

Balogun is not the first player to have a World Cup ban suspended, however, as Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in Portugal’s opening fixture against DR Congo despite receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland in qualifying.

Despite this, Agustin Canobbio, Assim Modibo, Cesar Montes, Miguel Almiron, Nathan Ngoy, Piero Hincapie, Rebin Sulaka and Yaya Sithole have all received red cards at the World Cup and none of them were handed suspended bans.

Belgium release official statement

Following confirmation that Balogun will be available to play for the USA in their last-16 tie, the Belgium FA released a bombshell statement that read: “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

“FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:

“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.

“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

“The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

Meanwhile, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia added: “I didn't know the game was being played on April Fool's Day rather than July 6.”

Gianni Infantino accused of corruption

FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium is highly controversial and many fans believe that Infantino’s decision has been directly impacted by Trump.

One fan said: “You think Sepp Blatter was a corrupt weasel and Infantino makes him seem like a misguided saint.”

Another added: “Ronaldo first, now Balogun. The first genuinely corrupt World Cup where sporting integrity can be bent to suit certain individuals/nations. Incredible.”

A third said: “This just doesn’t happen if the World Cup isn’t being hosted over there. Painfully corrupt,” while a fourth commented: “Joke of an organization. Just embarrassing. Incomprehensible that somehow one could be more corrupt than Sepp Blatter.”

Written by

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Cameron Smith is a Digital Content Producer for FootballTransfers, having joined the team upon its inception in November 2020.

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