FIFA has suspended Balogun’s ban for one year after Trump urged Infantino to review it
Published : 18 Sep 2026, 12:20 AM
England FA chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeking the release of material related to his abandoned World Cup investment plan and the lifting of US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, an FA source confirmed to Reuters on Thursday.
Infantino, 56, has been under mounting pressure since unveiling a proposal to sell a commercial stake in the World Cup to private investors.
The plan sparked fierce opposition, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and North America's CONCACAF among those calling for changes at the top of FIFA.
Balogun was handed a one-match ban at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card in his side's 2-0 round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina that would have ruled him out of their last-16 clash with Belgium.
That prompted US President Donald Trump to contact Infantino and urge him to have the punishment reviewed, with the governing body suspending the ban for one year.
The next FIFA Council meeting is scheduled for Oct 15.
The Times reported that Hewitt sent the letter this week to Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, calling for an independent review of the selloff plan.
Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.
