New Delhi, July 7 -- FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday defended the governing body's disciplinary process after US President Donald Trump's intervention prompted the reversal of Folarin Balogun's automatic World Cup suspension, sparking criticism from Belgium.

Balogun's suspension reversal makes him eligible to play in Monday night's World Cup round of 16 clash against Belgium.

The controversy erupted after FIFA suspended the implementation of Balogun's mandatory one-match suspension following his red card in the United States' Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, making the striker eligible for the team's knockout clash against Belgium.

Infantino insisted FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently and denied politica...