The decision-maker was Mohammad Al Kamali from UAE, Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (FDC) and Chairman of the World Cup 2026 Disciplinary Committee. The ruling did not involve any of the other 17 committee members.

FIFA Disciplinary Committee Chairman Mohammad Al Kamali (right) at the FIFA headquarters in 2/2026. Photo: FIFA

In addition to Chairman Al Kamali, the FDC includes Vice Chairman Jorge Palacio from Colombia. The 16 members are: Abdul Salim Ahmed Ibrahim (Singapore), Alejandro Piera (Paraguay), Arnaud Dumont (Tahiti), Bandar Al Hamidani (Arab Saudi), Francisco Schertel Mendes (Brazil), Gerardo Mastrandrea (Italy), Jose Ernesto Mejia (Honduras), Kossi Guy Akpovy (Togo), Leonardo Stagg (Ecuador), Lord Veehala (Tonga), Martin Prochazka (Czech Republic), Moez Nasri (Tunisia), Paola Lopez (Mexico), Robert Hadad (Trinidad & Tobago), Nguyen Thi My Dung (Vietnam), and Thomas Hollerer (Austria).

According to the FIFA disciplinary code, the FDC Chairman has the right to make decisions independently without consulting other members in special cases. However, the Committee usually makes decisions with at least three members present.

According to the Times, a single member, often Vice Chairman Palacio, decided some previous FIFA disciplinary cases. In contrast, Al Kamali had never made a unilateral decision until Balogun’s case.

On 11/7, before the England vs. Norway quarter-final, the British channel BBC met Al Kamali outside the Miami, US stadium. Questions posed included: "Were you asked by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to postpone Balogun’s penalty?", "Can you tell us more about this?", "Why was England’s Jarell Quansah banned for two matches?", "Do you have any comments on how this incident has been described and reported?".

However, the FDC Chairman remained completely silent, head slightly bowed, occasionally smiling lightly, and continuing to walk. He was accompanied by security personnel, who did not interfere with the reporter’s questioning, which lasted about 40 seconds.

US striker Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the US vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina match in the World Cup 2026 round of 16, at San Francisco Bay Area stadium in the US, on 1/7/2026. Photo: AP

Ten days prior, striker Balogun received a red card in the 68th minute for stepping on Tarik Muharemovic’s foot in the US’s victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 16. According to regulations, the striker would be suspended for a minimum of one match and had no right to appeal, despite the controversial red card.

However, four days later, FIFA announced the suspension of the one-match ban, with a one-year probationary period, allowing Balogun to play in the match against Belgium in the round of 16. This was the first time in World Cup history a player suspended for a red card was allowed to play. The organization cited Article 27 of the disciplinary code, which states that FIFA is allowed to "fully or partially suspend the execution of a disciplinary measure." A longer statement was later issued to defend the decision but provided no further details on the reason or process leading to it.

The incident became more controversial when US President Donald Trump announced that he had personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card. "All I did was ask for a review. I didn't say what they had to do", Trump said, describing FIFA’s decision to suspend the penalty as "truly excellent".

The FIFA President confirmed Trump’s call. He also stated that he regularly speaks with heads of state but does not interfere with decisions made by FIFA’s independent judicial bodies, including the FDC.

Currently, more than 70 Members of the European Parliament (EP) have signed a letter calling on football federations to pressure for an investigation into President Infantino, after the incident raised concerns about political interference in football fairness. The European football federation and many coaches and former players have also criticized FIFA, while the Belgian football federation affirmed it will pursue the matter to the end for the integrity and fairness of the sport.

"The incident has increased scrutiny on FIFA and the integrity of its disciplinary process", an article on Australia’s Fox Sports stated.

By Trung Thu