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The International Olympic Committee announced Friday that it will not investigate Gianni Infantino following President Donald Trump’s call over Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card.
The USMNT star received a red card in the round of 16 of the World Cup, which initially made him ineligible to play in the next round.
However, FIFA decided to suspend the red card, which made Balogun eligible. Trump later said he called Infantino and requested a review, but FIFA claimed it was not influenced by Trump.
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President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup winner’s trophy before presenting it to Spain captain Rodri during the awards ceremony following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The decision added to what was already a huge controversy, as it was argued that Balogun should not have received a red card in the first place. Nevertheless, Balogun was active despite an appeal and a strong reaction from Belgium.
A London-based NGO formally complained this month to the IOC Ethics Commission about Infantino. The IOC Olympic Charter cites neutrality among the “fundamental principles of Olympism” for sports bodies like FIFA and its more than 100 members, including Infantino since 2020.
No formal investigation will be opened, the IOC said, because the complaint from rights group FairSquare did not concern FIFA or Infantino’s specific relationships with the Olympic body.
The complaint “refers only to (FIFA’s) decisions regarding its governance and management, including its relations with the government, and to (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its sport,” the IOC said in a statement.
President Donald Trump speaks alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York, July 17, 2026. Later this weekend, Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
FOLARIN BALOGUN ADMITS RED CARD REVERSAL AFFECTED USA’S WORLD CUP TEAMMATES: ‘LOTS OF OUTSIDE NOISE’
“Therefore, the complaint does not fall within the jurisdiction of the IOC Ethics Commission,” the statement continued.
“All I did was ask for a review, because I didn’t think it was wrong,” Trump said at the time. “And again, I’m good at that kind of thing. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes crashing and getting tangled. It wasn’t a guy punching someone in the face or anything, that would be different.
“I think it’s terrible…if they hadn’t allowed a top player, maybe the best, maybe one of the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.”
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 13, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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It didn’t help that Balogun was active, as the United States lost to Belgium, 4-1.
