Pressure mounts on Gianni Infantino as IOC is asked to investigate Balogun saga
Balogun was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute of the USA's Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. Under FIFA regulations, the suspension was automatic and not subject to appeal.
The International Olympic Committee(IOC) has received a complaint seeking an investigation into Fifa president Gianni Infantino's alleged breaches of political neutrality. This includes the reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card offense which warranted a one match ban but was suspended due to the influence of US President Donald Trump.
Balogun was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute of the USA's Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. Under FIFA regulations, the suspension was automatic and not subject to appeal.
But, on July 5, Fifa announced, "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year." No further statement was made.
Infantino acknowledged that Trump did indeed make a phone call. The President defended his intervention stating, "All I did was ask for a review because I didn't think it was a foul.And, you know, again, I'm good at this stuff. I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled."
He also praised Fifa's decison and said that they made a really good decision and attacked the referee, saying that his call was poor.
Balogun ultimately played against Belgium as the United States were eliminated 4-1 from the tournament.
Responding to questions over the controversy, Infantino maintained that FIFA's judicial bodies function independently.
"Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected," a statement issued on his behalf and published on FIFA's website read.
The complainant FairSport alleged that Infantino(who is a member of the IOC) is subject to the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics, which require strict political neutrality.
The organisation said in a statement: "As outlined in the FairSquare complaint, there is compelling evidence that Infantino has committed five clear breaches of IOC rules on political neutrality through statements or other clear expressions of support for the US President."
Aside from the Balogun case, the complaint cites Infantino's endorsement of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, public appearances related to Trump's presidential inauguration, the presentation of FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize to Trump, and the promotion of a FIFA World Cup fan platform, which FairSquare claims was linked to a data-harvesting campaign associated with the US President.
FairSquare had earlier filed a complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December. The Norwegian Football Federation endorsed the protest, which was later supported by 50 European Parliament members in a separate submission in June.Ind