FIFA President has defended the independence of the world football body's judicial system following criticism surrounding the decision to rescind the suspension of United States striker .
The ruling has generated controversy after claimed he had personally intervened on behalf of the player, prompting questions about whether political influence played a role in FIFA's disciplinary process.
Responding to the speculation in a statement issued on Monday, Infantino maintained that FIFA's judicial bodies function independently and make their decisions without interference from the organisation's leadership.
He said the Disciplinary Committee considers each case in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Code and reaches its conclusions based solely on the available facts and applicable regulations.
Infantino confirmed that Trump had contacted him over Balogun's case but insisted the conversation did not affect the disciplinary proceedings.
According to him, he informed the US president that the matter was before FIFA's independent judicial bodies and would be resolved through the established legal process.
He noted that discussions with heads of state, government officials and other stakeholders are common in his role, particularly on issues concerning FIFA competitions, but stressed that such interactions do not influence disciplinary decisions.
The FIFA chief also said he does not participate in the work of the organisation's judicial committees, adding that he respects their decisions irrespective of his personal views.
He argued that preserving the independence of FIFA's judicial institutions is critical to maintaining confidence in the governance of world football.
The reversal of Balogun's suspension has reignited debate over FIFA's governance structure, particularly because it followed public comments by the US president claiming involvement in the matter.
FIFA has consistently maintained that its judicial bodies—including the Disciplinary Committee, Ethics Committee and Appeal Committee—operate independently from the FIFA president and Council, a governance model strengthened after the reforms introduced in the wake of the 2015 corruption scandal.
The governing body has also traditionally opposed political interference in football administration, with its statutes allowing sanctions against member associations where governments are found to have improperly influenced football affairs.
Despite the controversy, neither FIFA's Disciplinary Committee nor its Appeal Committee has indicated that any outside representations affected the outcome of Balogun's case, insisting that the ruling was based entirely on the governing body's disciplinary regulations and the evidence presented.
The decision means Balogun remains eligible to represent the United States, even as debate continues over the intersection of football governance, judicial independence and political influence.
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