FIFA has heard the criticism of the sudden decision to reinstate U.S. striker Folarin Balogun for Monday night’s game against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. And FIFA has decided to respond to it, through a statement issued by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance,” Infantino said. “FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

Ad

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

In this case, there’s no clear and specific “rule of law.” The rule is that Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code gives the independent committee broad discretion to reach whatever decision it wants to reach as to whether the otherwise automatic suspension arising from a red card will, or won’t, be served.

Ad

And if Infantino has any direct or direct influence over the appointment or retention of the members of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, the decision isn’t nearly as independent as Infantino would have the world to believe.

For now, it doesn’t matter. Balogun will be available. In the least surprising development of this entire ordeal, FIFA rejected Belgium’s appeal.

Source: NBCSports.com