Infantino Told Trump He'd 'Take Care of' Balogun's Red Card: Report

FIFA President Gianni Infantino allegedly told then-President Donald Trump that he would resolve the red card suspension for U.S. player Folarin Balogun following a phone call on July 1, according to a report by The New York Post, citing FIFA insiders. Balogun had been initially barred from the U.S. team's match against Belgium.

FIFA's disciplinary committee sensationally suspended the ban after a protest from the White House. The report claims Infantino told Trump, "He would take care of it. One call and it was done." FIFA did not comment on the new allegations but referred to a July statement from Infantino, in which he maintained that decisions were made by independent bodies acting autonomously.

The allegations come amid scrutiny of Infantino's leadership, including past controversies and a scrapped plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity investors, one of whom was Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law to Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Balogun incident itself previously led to accusations of favoritism and bowing to White House pressure.

Balogun received the red card during the U.S. team's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA regulations typically allow appeals only in cases of mistaken identity or for multi-game suspensions. However, Trump later confirmed he had asked Infantino to "review" the incident, stating, "All I did was ask for a review. I didn't say, you have to do this." He added that Infantino is a "smart, tough man" whose "stock has gone through the roof" due to his performance.

Despite Balogun being cleared to play, the U.S. team was eliminated from the World Cup after a 4-1 loss to Belgium. In the aftermath, Infantino released a statement emphasizing the independence and autonomy of FIFA's judicial bodies. He acknowledged regular discussions with heads of state, including Trump, on various matters related to the World Cup, but reiterated that cases are decided by competent bodies and that he respects their decisions regardless of personal agreement.

Further reports indicate that FIFA leadership proposed a change to the disciplinary code, which would prevent FIFA legal panels from suspending automatic one-game bans for red cards. A source clarified that this proposal was for discussion at an upcoming meeting and not an immediate rule change or admission of guilt concerning the Balogun affair.

Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president in March, despite facing mounting pressure and past controversies. Notably, three confederations rejected a previous plan he proposed, leading UEFA to express a loss of confidence and threaten a boycott of future World Cups. Ramon Vega, a former Tottenham defender, has announced his intention to challenge Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election.