NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided not to proceed with the investigation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his role in the controversial reversal of the mandatory World Cup suspension of the United States’ Folarin Balogun following the intervention of the US President. Donald Trump.The decision comes after London-based human rights NGO FairSquare filed a formal complaint with the IOC Ethics Commission earlier this month, saying Infantino violated the Olympic movement’s principle of political neutrality by helping to ensure Balogun escaped an automatic one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.However, the IOC said on Friday that it did not have jurisdiction to investigate the matter because the complaint related to FIFA’s governance and football regulations rather than Infantino’s conduct as an IOC member.In a statement, the Olympic body said the complaint “refers only to (FIFA’s) decisions on its governance and management, including its relationship with the government, and on (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its game.”“Therefore, the complaint falls outside the jurisdiction of the IOC ethics commission,” the statement added.The IOC Ethics Commission can only investigate issues connected to the responsibilities of an official within the Olympic Movement and has no independent power to launch investigations outside of this remit. Any recommendations it makes are submitted to the IOC Executive Board, chaired by president Kirsty Coventry.
File Pic: Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to Folarin Balogun of the United States. (AP Photo)
The Balogun controversy has sparked increasing scrutiny
Controversy erupted after Balogun was shown a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, an offense that traditionally carries a mandatory one-match suspension.After a phone call from Trump to Infantino, however, FIFA deferred the suspension, allowing Balogun to appear in the United States’ crucial World Cup match against Belgium. Trump later described the referee’s decision as a “terrible” call and publicly claimed credit for persuading FIFA to review the penalty.Although the United States went on to lose 1-4 to Belgium, the unprecedented decision sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning whether political influence was overriding the game’s long-standing regulations.The Balogun ruling marks the first known instance in six decades of World Cup history where a mandatory suspension following a red card has not been immediately enforced.
Norway considers FIFA ethics complaint
While the IOC has ruled itself out of the matter, pressure continues to mount on FIFA.The Norwegian Football Federation has confirmed that its board will consider filing a formal ethics complaint against Infantino at its next meeting, expected on August 6.Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness, who also serves on UEFA’s executive committee, has been one of the strongest critics of FIFA’s handling of the case.“We all know this verdict was influenced by outside forces and there was no due process,” Klaveness told The Times.“When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that puts the whole game at risk,” he added.Klaveness also warned that compromising the “fundamental rules of the game” threatened football’s credibility.Norway previously joined FairSquare in filing a separate complaint with FIFA’s own ethics committee, which said Infantino violated FIFA’s legal obligation of political neutrality. This complaint also mentions Infantino’s close relationship with Trump, including the creation of a peace prize for the US president during the World Cup draw in December.FIFA has not yet published the disciplinary panel’s reasoning behind overturning Balogun’s suspension, and, in line with its usual practice, does not comment publicly on ethics complaints.