FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended world soccer’s disciplinary process on Monday amid an international wave of criticism after U.S. President Donald Trump praised FIFA’s decision to suspend ​Folarin Balogun’s World Cupred-card ban, and as the controversy spilled over into politics.

Infantino said FIFA’s judicial bodies operated “independently and autonomously” and that he had told Trump the Balogun case was subject to ‌an ongoing legal process, even as the U.S. President described the decision to reinstate the United States striker as “brilliant” after personally urging FIFA to review the case.

The affair has become the tournament’s biggest controversy, drawing condemnation from European football body UEFA, which said FIFA had “crossed a red line”, the Royal Belgian Football Association, several national federations as well as senior coaches, officials and politicians, with critics arguing FIFA had undermined confidence in its own disciplinary system.

It also prompted the Belgians, who play the U.S. later on Monday for a ​place in the quarter-finals, to challenge Balogun’s eligibility for the match but their appeal was rejected by FIFA. The player was sent off for a tackle during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a ​punishment that usually carries an automatic one-match ban.

“He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong and he is our best player,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Monday. “When they ⁠take your best player and say ‘You can’t play’ it’s very unfair.”

“I think they made a really brilliant decision,” Trump said. “I asked for a review. If they would not allow a top player to play I think it (the World ​Cup) would have had a big stain. I related that feeling.”

Trump also questioned the quality of refereeing by Brazil’s Raphael Claus, who had sent Balogun off, saying he was “a little bit suspect if you check his past.” He did ​not elaborate.

Infantino later confirmed the call but said he explained to Trump that FIFA’s judicial bodies operated independently.

“During our conversation I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies,” Infantino said in a statement. “That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.”

For UEFA, the decision to suspend the ban was wrong.

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable ​decision,” UEFA said. “Yesterday’s decision … crossed a red line.

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”

Several national football federations ​have been equally critical of FIFA’s decision.

“The decision in the Balogun case is incomprehensible to the Swiss Football Association (SFA), regardless of how it came about,” the Swiss FA, whose team are in the World Cup round of 16, said.

“This decision raises ‌questions and creates ⁠uncertainty, particularly regarding the authority of referees’ decisions, especially when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is involved. The credibility of the competition depends on clear rules that are applied consistently,” it said.

FAILED CHALLENGE

The Royal Belgian Football Association challenged FIFA’s decision to declare Balogun eligible to play on Monday but FIFA rejected it.

“The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible,” FIFA said in a statement. “The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision.”

The Brazilian FA (CBF) also joined in the chorus of criticism, rejecting any suggestion regarding the quality of Claus’ refereeing.

“The ​CBF refutes any insinuation that casts doubt on Raphael ​Claus’s integrity. He is an exemplary professional, whose ⁠career is amply supported by technical assessments, consistent performance and the trust placed in him by the leading national and international competitions,” it said.

The high-profile criticism also echoed that from big names in the sport.

“This is our sport, not theirs,” said former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who is in talks to become the new Germany coach.

“If Donald Trump ​and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question. These two people, who know nothing about football, should have ​absolutely nothing to do with ⁠this.”

It is not the first time this year that FIFA has been accused of mixing politics with sport, with Infantino attending President Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in February and facing subsequent questions about the body’s political neutrality.

STRANGE DECISION

Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, was sent off after a VAR review for dragging his studs down the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg and onto his foot during their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.

The ⁠red card carried ​an automatic one-match ban, ruling Balogun out of Monday’s tie with Belgium. FIFA instead suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period ​without rescinding the card itself.

Even former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who stepped down in 2015 amid corruption allegations, joined the criticism.

“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies,” he said. “If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA ​President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.”

-Reuters

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

As the curtain continues to fall on the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds, Nigerian football entrepreneur and sports investor Kunle Soname has urged African football administrators to look beyond the continent’s impressive participation statistics and address the recurring shortcomings that continue to deny African teams deeper success on football’s biggest stage.

Speaking in a transatlantic telephone interview with Sports Village Square, Soname reflected on what he described as a largely positive but ultimately incomplete campaign for Africa at the expanded 48-team World Cup.

“African teams have done very well, especially in the first phase of the expanded World Cup,” Soname observed. “If you consider that nine of the ten African representatives progressed from the group stage into the knockout phase, that represents a 90 per cent success rate. It is the highest achieved by any confederation.”

Yet, for the businessman whose football interests span clubs, academies and aviation, the story of Africa’s World Cup journey cannot be measured by qualification statistics alone.

“The second round presented a mixed bag,” he said. “The sad part is not just the crashing out of teams, but the manner of their exits.”

According to Soname, Africa’s recurring challenge lies not in talent or preparation but in what he calls “end-game management” — the ability to navigate decisive moments when matches, and sometimes history, are on the line.

“It shows that as a continent, we have to take a look at how we manage our teams and initial successes. We lack the cutting edge that should come into play when we get to the end-game situations. Sadly, this has become a recurring pattern.”

He pointed to Senegal’s elimination as a recent example, while also acknowledging the fighting spirit shown by DR Congo.

“DR Congo put up a good show, but the end-game management is what they lack,” he noted.

For Soname, the issue stretches across generations of African football history. He recalled several painful near-misses that continue to haunt the continent.

“Nigeria suffered similar cruel fates in USA ’94 and Russia 2018. Remember Ghana in 2010, Cameroon against England in 1990 and Senegal against Turkey in 2002. These examples show that we often struggle to run the extra mile that delivers truly great success.”

He also expressed concern about reports emerging from the Senegal camp following their exit, suggesting that internal discipline remains a critical factor in tournament football.

“The news coming out of the Senegalese camp after their exit shows that camp discipline was lacking. These are areas that must be addressed if Africa wants to consistently compete for the latter stages of the World Cup.”

Despite the disappointments, Soname reserved special praise for Cape Verde, whom he described as the revelation of the tournament.

“Looking at Cape Verde, which to me is the biggest revelation of the tournament, you can see how debutants were able to weave together relatively unknown players from lower leagues into a formidable team that gave former world champions Spain, Uruguay and Argentina a run for their money.”

The success story, he believes, offers valuable lessons for the rest of Africa, particularly Nigeria.

“It shows what can be achieved through organisation, planning and proper development structures,” he said.

Soname, whose football empire includes Remo Stars FC, Beyond Limits Academy and Remo Stars Ladies FC, believes the solution lies closer to home.

“What we need to do, especially in Nigeria, is to develop and reorganise our domestic league, improve the mentality of our players, structure the league better and ensure that football academies are properly organised.”

Coming from a man who has quietly transformed football infrastructure in Nigeria, the comments carry particular weight.

A recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Soname has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential sports visionaries. Beyond football club ownership, he is the founder of Bet9ja, one of Nigeria’s leading gaming companies, and the owner of ValueJet, the airline that serves as the official carrier of the Super Eagles.

His investments have helped create pathways for young footballers while demonstrating that sustainable football development requires long-term commitment rather than short-term promises.

As Africa reflects on a World Cup campaign that produced unprecedented participation but limited knockout success, Soname’s message is clear: the continent possesses the talent to compete with the world’s best, but converting promise into history will require stronger structures, better management and a relentless focus on the fine margins that decide football’s biggest matches.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

One of world football’s fiercest rivalries takes centre stage on Monday when neighbours Portugal and Spain collide in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter with history beckoning for both sides.

The all-European clash promises intrigue, tension and high-quality football as two of the tournament’s most accomplished teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

For Spain, the match presents an opportunity to carve out a unique place in World Cup history. La Roja have not conceded a goal in their last five matches and could become the first team ever to record six successive clean sheets at a single World Cup if they shut out Portugal.

The Spaniards have combined defensive discipline with attacking flair throughout the tournament, emerging as one of the strongest contenders for the title. Their backline has frustrated every opponent they have faced, while their possession-based approach has allowed them to control matches with authority.

Standing in their way, however, is a Portugal side determined to achieve a milestone of its own.

The Portuguese are seeking to reach successive FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, a feat that would underline their growing consistency on football’s biggest stage.

Led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have navigated the tournament with resilience and efficiency, overcoming difficult moments to remain firmly in contention for the trophy.

The encounter is also rich in narrative. Two footballing nations separated by a border but linked by decades of rivalry will once again contest Iberian supremacy, knowing that only one can continue the journey toward World Cup glory.

With Spain chasing a defensive record and Portugal seeking a historic breakthrough, the stakes could hardly be higher in what promises to be one of the most compelling matches of the Round of 16.

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