FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under formal scrutiny after a human rights group alleged he breached political neutrality rules in his handling of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension. The complaint, filed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), cites a series of irregularities linked to a phone call between Infantino and US President Donald Trump that preceded the striker’s ban being lifted. With FIFA’s disciplinary processes now under intense scrutiny, the episode raises serious questions about the independence of football’s governing body—particularly as Infantino has served as an IOC member since 2020, a role that demands strict adherence to the Olympic Charter’s political neutrality provisions.
How the Balogun ban was suspended
The controversy centres on the one-match ban imposed on USA striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. The suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, allowing Balogun to play in the USA’s last-16 match against Belgium. FairSquare, the human rights organisation behind the complaint, alleges that this decision followed a phone call between Infantino and President Trump, despite FIFA’s insistence that its committees operate independently.
Reports in The Times indicate that Mohammad Al Kamali, chair of the disciplinary committee, made the decision to suspend the ban alone—a departure from previous cases where he had not acted as the sole arbiter. FIFA has yet to explain why the ban was lifted or why Al Kamali deviated from established procedure, which typically involves multi-member deliberations. The lack of transparency has intensified criticism of FIFA’s governance at a time when the organisation is already under pressure over its handling of disciplinary matters, including the high-profile appeals rejected in the England vs. Mexico and France vs. Paraguay ties.
Five breaches alleged, with two under scrutiny
FairSquare’s complaint to the IOC outlines five clear breaches of the Olympic Charter and FIFA’s code of ethics, alongside “prima facie” evidence of two additional serious breaches, including the Balogun case. The group previously submitted a similar complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee in December 2023, which was acknowledged but received no further response. Last month, the Norwegian football federation formally requested that FIFA’s ethics committee review FairSquare’s allegations. On June 29, fifty Members of the European Parliament joined the call for action, urging the ethics committee to address the complaints in a joint letter that cited “serious concerns about FIFA’s commitment to impartiality.”
The timing of the complaint is particularly sensitive given FIFA’s inconsistent approach to other disciplinary cases at the tournament. England defender Jarell Quansah received a two-match ban for his red card against Mexico in the 87th minute, ruling him out of England’s potential final. Meanwhile, France failed in their attempt to overturn a yellow card given to Michael Olise during their round-of-16 win over Paraguay—a decision that was upheld despite video evidence suggesting the foul occurred outside the field of play. These contrasting decisions have fuelled perceptions of inconsistency in FIFA’s disciplinary process, with critics arguing that the Balogun case sets a troubling precedent for future appeals.
What happens next
FIFA and the IOC have both been approached for comment, but neither has yet responded to the allegations. The complaint to the IOC could lead to an investigation into whether Infantino, as an IOC member since 2020, violated the organisation’s rules on political neutrality. If upheld, the findings could have significant consequences for Infantino’s standing within the Olympic movement—potentially including suspension from IOC activities or formal censure. For FIFA, the episode underscores broader concerns about transparency and accountability. The organisation has faced repeated criticism over its governance, including questions about the independence of its disciplinary committees and the opacity of its decision-making processes.
With the World Cup still in progress, the fallout from the Balogun case risks overshadowing the tournament’s final stages. Whether FIFA takes meaningful steps to address these concerns—such as publishing detailed explanations for disciplinary decisions or reforming its appeals structure—remains to be seen. But the pressure is mounting, with human rights groups, national federations, and political leaders now directly involved. The coming weeks will determine whether this complaint marks a turning point in FIFA’s troubled relationship with accountability—or another missed opportunity for reform.
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