FIFA aim to avoid further Trump-World Cup controversy with new rule

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FT Desk

FIFA will seek to implement a new rule to ensure there will be no repeat of the Folarin Balogun scandal from the World Cup.

Balogun’s involvement in the United States’ last-16 tie against Belgium became the subject of controversy after he was sent off during their Round of 32 encounter with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forward received a straight red card for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic, which initially ruled him out of the next match following the USMNT’s progression.

In a surprising development, reports later indicated that FIFA had reversed the suspension, allowing Balogun to be considered for selection against Belgium.

The Belgian Football Association publicly expressed its disbelief at the ruling, describing itself as “astonished” by FIFA’s decision. It also made clear that it would continue to pursue justice regardless of how the match concluded.

Further details emerged when US President Donald Trump disclosed that he had directly approached FIFA president Gianni Infantino, asking him to ensure Balogun could take part in the fixture. FIFA ultimately lifted the ban by invoking Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which gives the organisation the authority to suspend disciplinary measures either in full or in part.

The ruling prompted widespread backlash against Infantino, who faced intense scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the suspension being overturned. However, reports later suggested that the decision had actually been made by a member of FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

The Telegraph reports that FIFA will look to amend its own rules so situations like the above can be avoided. It will be discussed at the FIFA council meeting this Thursday in Zurich when Infantino is expected to be grilled over his relationship with Trump.

However, the outlet says there are "accusations it is designed to absolve the governing body, and president Gianni Infantino, of any wrongdoing."

La Liga President Javier Tebas is under no illusions about how serious it is that FIFA intervened after a request from Trump.

"We have FIFA, which has overturned a red card because the president of a country called the FIFA president," Tebas said at a FIFPro event in London.

"This is the most serious incident in the history of football. I think that, for this to be resolved, the issue of governance has to be addressed clearly."

Infantino has long been criticised for his relationship with Trump as FIFA is supposed to be a politically neutral organisation

Following the World Cup, news broke that Infantino was planning to sell shares in the tournament to private equity firms. He received universal condemnation over the proposals, which were scrapped after just a few days.

UEFA accused him of trying to sell the soul of football.

"Gianni Infantino is not someone who contributes to the growth of football," Tebas told Le Monde.

"On the contrary, his projects are destroying the very essence of the sport: the national leagues.

"Football is not limited to the elite. For me, the Infantino era is over."

The Italian has already announced an intention to run again as FIFA President in 2027, though continental federations like UEFA are busy shortlisting their own candidates to stand against him.