NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided not to conduct an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his role in the controversial overturning of US striker Folarin Balogun’s mandatory World Cup suspension 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, alleging that Infantino violated the Olympic movement’s principle of political neutrality by helping to ensure that Balogun escaped an automatic one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.However, the IOC said on Friday it has no jurisdiction to investigate the matter because the complaint concerns 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 relations with the government, and to (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its sport.”“Consequently, the complaint is outside the jurisdiction of the IOC Ethics Commission,” the statement added.The IOC Ethics Commission can only examine issues related to the responsibilities of an official in the Olympic Movement and has no independent powers to launch investigations outside of that mandate. Any recommendations it makes are submitted to the IOC Executive Council, 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 is drawing increasing scrutiny
Controversy erupted after Balogun was shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, an offense that traditionally carries a mandatory one-match suspension.After a phone call from Trump to Infantino, however, FIFA postponed the suspension, allowing Balogun to take part in the USA’s crucial World Cup clash against Belgium. Trump later described the referee’s decision as a “horrible” call and publicly claimed credit for convincing FIFA to review the punishment.Although the United States lost 1-4 to Belgium, the unprecedented decision drew widespread criticism, with many questioning whether political influence had overturned long-standing sports regulations.The Balogun ruling marked the first known case in six decades of World Cup history where a mandatory suspension following a red card was not immediately enforced.
Norway faces an ethics complaint from FIFA
While the IOC ruled out of the matter, the pressure continues to grow on FIFA.The Norwegian Football Federation has confirmed that its board will consider filing a formal ethics complaint against Infantino at its next meeting, scheduled for August 6.Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness, who also serves on UEFA’s executive committee, has been among the strongest critics of FIFA’s handling of the case.“We all know that this verdict was influenced by outside forces and did not have due process,” Klaveness told the Times.“When you make 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” threatens football’s credibility.Norway had previously joined FairSquare in filing a separate complaint with the same FIFA ethics committee, alleging Infantino breached FIFA’s statutory obligation of political neutrality. The complaint also cites Infantino’s close ties to Trump, including the creation of a peace prize for the US president during the World Cup draw in December.FIFA has yet to release the disciplinary panel’s reasoning behind overturning Balogun’s suspension, and, in line with its usual practice, has not publicly commented on ethics complaints.