World Cup: IOC says won't ask FIFA chief to explain Balogun red card controversy

SportWorld Cup: IOC says won't ask FIFA chief to explain Balogun red card controversyPresident Donald J. Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the awards ceremony at the end of the World Cup final   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.By Africanews with APLast updated: 24/07 - 22:14World Cup 2026IOC member and FIFA leader Gianni Infantino will not have to explain to the Olympic body how U.S. President Donald Trump helped to stop a player’s ban at the World Cup. The IOC said on Friday it has no jurisdiction to investigate Infantino’s alleged lack of political neutrality. A London-based NGO formally complained this month to the International Olympic Committee ethics commission about Infantino, including his part in ensuring United States forward Folarin Balogun did not serve a mandatory one-game ban despite being sent off in the previous game.The IOC’s Olympic Charter cites neutrality among “fundamental principles of Olympism” for sports bodies like FIFA and its 100-plus members, which has included Infantino since 2020. No formal investigation will be opened, the IOC said, because the complaint by rights group FairSquare did not relate to FIFA’s or Infantino’s specific relations with the Olympic body. The complaint “refers only to (FIFA’s) decisions on its governance and its management, including its relations with government, and to (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its sport,” the IOC said in a statement. “Consequently, the complaint falls outside the IOC ethics commission’s jurisdiction,” the statement said. The ethics body does not have independent powers to start investigations and sanction officials, but can make recommendations to the IOC executive board chaired by President Kirsty Coventry. She attended the World Cup final last Sunday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Action has been taken against just one IOC member in the past eight years for unethical conduct: Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, a key power broker who built a reputation as the “kingmaker” of Olympic elections.You may also like00:51Kenya’s world record holder Sawe withdraws from Berlin marathon 28/08 - 15:3000:51Manchester United sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton 26/08 - 07:0501:18Ethiopia bids to host Africa Cup of Nations 2028 after 52 years 25/08 - 16:57ShareMore About World Cup 2026 Gianni Infantino Donald TrumpYou may also like00:51Kenya’s world record holder Sawe withdraws from Berlin marathon 28/08 - 15:3000:51Manchester United sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton 26/08 - 07:0501:18Ethiopia bids to host Africa Cup of Nations 2028 after 52 years 25/08 - 16:57On the same subjectNEWS01:11Iran strikes US bases in Jordan in response to US attack, state TV reports 4 hours agoNEWS01:12ICC Chief Tomoko Akane vows to defend court after U.S. sanctions 27/08 - 13:00SPORT01:18Reuters: Continental confederations in talks to oust FIFA boss Infantino 20/08 - 16:33NEWS01:41Liberia agrees to accept up to 1,200 US deportees under Trump migration deal 24/08 - 14:37BUSINESS00:58Strait of Hormuz to remain closed until US meets Iran's demands, top negotiator says 18/08 - 15:28NEWS00:56Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian leaders sign new peace accord 14/08 - 11:10More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 8 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 7 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 3 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews