IOC won’t investigate Infantino over Trump’s Balogun red card call
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The International Olympic Committee announced Friday that it will not investigate Gianni Infantino over President Donald Trump’s call to him regarding Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card.
The USMNT star received a red card in the round of 32 of the World Cup, which initially ruled him out of play in the next round.
However, FIFA decided to postpone the red card that made Balogun eligible. Trump later called Infantino to say he wanted a review, but FIFA claimed it was not influenced by Trump.
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After President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino held the FIFA World Cup champion’s trophy, they handed it to Spain captain Rodri at the awards ceremony following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The decision added to the already huge debate, with arguments arguing that Balogun should not have received a red card in the first place. Nevertheless, Balogun was active despite Belgium’s objection and harsh reaction.
A London-based NGO formally complained about Infantino to the IOC ethics commission this month. The IOC’s Olympic Charter specifies neutrality among sports organizations such as FIFA and its more than 100 members, including Infantino since 2020, among the “fundamental principles of Olympism”.
The IOC said it would not open a formal investigation because the complaint by rights group FairSquare did not relate to FIFA or Infantino’s private dealings with the Olympic body.
The IOC said in a statement that the complaint “concerns only decisions relating to (FIFA’s) governance and management, including its relations with the government, and the application of (FIFA’s) sporting rules.”
President Donald Trump speaks alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the FIFA reception held 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, NJ. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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The statement continued: “As a result, the complaint is outside the jurisdiction of the IOC ethics commission.”
“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 fine with that. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes bumping into each other and getting tangled up. This wasn’t a guy punching someone in the face, that would be different.”
“I think it’s very bad… if they didn’t let the best player, maybe the best on the team, maybe a player who was among the best on the team, play, I think it would be a big stain. I passed that on. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision and they made the right decision because, No. 1, 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 FIFA Club World Cup 2025 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 presence did not result in the USA losing 4-1 to Belgium.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
