Infantino Likely Avoids IOC Sanctions Over Trump Call in Balogun Ban Case
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 18
Infantino Likely Avoids IOC Sanctions Over Trump Call in Balogun Ban Case
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 18
Summary
A formal FairSquare complaint to the IOC is unlikely to trigger even an investigation into Gianni Infantino’s contacts with Donald Trump over Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban.
IOC sources cited strong reluctance to police FIFA’s own disciplinary decisions, especially while internal appeals remain open and with the committee’s ruling formally presented as independent.
No complaints have come from UEFA or the Royal Belgium Football Federation, weakening pressure on the IOC; Belgium is now seen as ready to drop the matter after its World Cup exit.
More than 200 of FIFA’s 211 members have backed Infantino before next year’s presidential election, underscoring how the scandal has left his power base largely intact.
The IOC also has wider incentives to avoid a clash with FIFA before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as it looks to benefit from football’s commercial boom in the United States.