German Football Federation (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has called on FIFA to provide clarity regarding the reinstatement of American forward Folarin Balogun, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump intervened directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Neuendorf stressed that the world governing body must issue a prompt statement to dispel any impression of political interference in sport.
Neuendorf demands transparency
“FIFA should now issue a prompt statement regarding reports that the decision to suspend the red card shown to the American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a telephone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino,” Neuendorf said in a statement on Monday. “The impression that there has been active political interference in sport must be dispelled swiftly and conclusively. The integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA are at stake.”
Balogun, who plays for AS Monaco, was sent off during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. The red card would have triggered an automatic one-match suspension for the round of 16 clash against Belgium, scheduled for later Monday. However, on Sunday, FIFA announced that it had suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period, effectively allowing Balogun to play against Belgium.
Trump’s alleged involvement
American news outlets, citing sources familiar with the case, reported that President Trump had called Infantino to discuss the matter. Trump later took to social media to praise FIFA’s decision. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Neither FIFA nor the White House has officially commented on the alleged phone call.
Neuendorf’s remarks highlight growing concerns over the independence of FIFA’s disciplinary processes. The DFB president emphasized that any perception of political pressure could undermine the legitimacy of the World Cup and FIFA’s broader authority. “FIFA must now explain itself,” he added, urging the organization to clarify whether external influence played a role in the decision.
Broader implications
The incident has sparked debate about the relationship between politics and sports governance. Critics argue that if Trump indeed intervened, it sets a dangerous precedent for future tournaments. FIFA’s disciplinary code allows for the suspension of sanctions under certain conditions, but the timing and reported political context have raised eyebrows. The U.S. team, meanwhile, benefits from Balogun’s availability as they aim to advance further in the competition. Neuendorf’s call for answers reflects a wider demand for accountability from football’s top governing body.
