IOC makes stance clear on Infantino investigation following Trump-Balogun World Cup controversy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it will not open an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino after concerns were raised over his conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump involving Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for the World Cup Round of 16. The issue stems from FIFA’s decision earlier this month to suspend Balogun’s red-card ban from his tackle on Tarik Muharemovic during the U.S. men’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump reportedly coordinated legal efforts through Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani, then contacted Infantino directly after an appeal was filed. FairSquare claimed this breached IOC political-neutrality rules, but the IOC ruled the complaint falls outside its ethics jurisdiction and replied accordingly.