IOC Rejects Investigation into Infantino's Alleged Interference in Balogun Case

The International Olympic Committee has refused to open an investigation into allegations of interference by FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the decision to suspend the one-match ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.

According to a report by journalist Colin Millar published in The New York Times, the International Olympic Committee has confirmed that the complaint filed against Infantino does not fall within its jurisdiction, and therefore it will not open any investigation into the matter, despite the fact that the FIFA President also holds membership in the IOC.

The report indicated that the allegations pertain to a possible intervention by Infantino in the decision to suspend Balogun, which allowed the player to participate instead of serving the ban. However, Infantino categorically denied these claims, asserting that he had no role in the decision-making process.

According to the New York Times, the International Olympic Committee emphasized that its refusal to open an investigation does not confirm or deny the allegations, but is based solely on the fact that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction and institutional authority.