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The International Olympic Committee announced Friday that it will not investigate Gianni Infantino in connection with President Donald Trump’s call about Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card.
The USMNT star received a red card in the round of 32 of the World Cup, initially leaving 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 asked for 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 at 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 ruling added to what was already a huge controversy, as it was argued that Balogun should not have been expelled in the first place. However, Balogun remained 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 such as FIFA and its more than 100 members, including Infantino since 2020.
No formal investigation will be opened, the IOC said, because the complaint by human rights group FairSquare did not relate to FIFA or Infantino’s specific relationships with the Olympic body.
The complaint “concerns only (FIFA’s) decisions on its governance and management, including its relations with the government, and (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its sport,” the IOC said in a statement.
President Donald Trump speaks alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on July 17, 2026. Later that 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 THAT THE RED CARD REVERSAL AFFECTED HIS WORLD CUP TEAMMATES IN THE USA: ‘A LOT OF EXTERIOR NOISE’
“Consequently, the complaint falls outside 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 a foul,” Trump said at the time. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who ran into each other and tangled. That 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 to play, maybe the best, maybe one of the best on the team, I think it would have been a big stain. I passed it on. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t think he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, number one, it wasn’t 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, on July 13, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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Balogun’s activity did not help, as the United States lost to Belgium 4-1.
