FIFA Reverses Red-Card Suspension for US Striker Balogun After Trump Intervention
FIFA announced on Sunday that it had lifted the automatic one-game suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in Monday's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. The extraordinary decision came after President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina during a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday. The red card, initially not signaled by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, was issued after a video review.
Trump Praises FIFA's Decision as Belgium Expresses Outrage
Trump thanked FIFA in a social media statement, saying the organization did "what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" However, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished" by the decision. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA's action, comparing it to an April Fools' Day joke: "I didn't know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe."
Garcia added, "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it's the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision." The RBFA stated it is investigating all potential options to safeguard fair play.
FIFA Cites Disciplinary Rules for Probationary Suspension
FIFA explained that the suspension was suspended for a probationary period of one year, relying on Article 27 of its disciplinary committee rules. The rule allows the judicial body to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure, subjecting the sanctioned person to a probationary period of one to four years. If Balogun commits a similar infringement during the probationary period, the suspension will be revoked and enforced.
US Soccer Federation learned of FIFA's action via a message on its portal at 10:31 a.m. EDT. US coach Mauricio Pochettino applauded the move, saying, "We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair." Pochettino was not surprised by Trump's call, noting that football is a religion in many cultures and can unite a country.
Balogun's Performance and Impact on US Team
Balogun, a 25-year-old who plays for Monaco, scored 13 Ligue 1 goals last season and has 12 goals in 30 international appearances. His three goals in the World Cup include a go-ahead strike against Bosnia, matching Landon Donovan's 2010 tally for the second-most by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in 1930. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents living in London, Balogun changed his national team affiliation from England in 2023.
US star Christian Pulisic defended Balogun, saying, "If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all. I felt like there was much worse ones that went on this tournament." The host US team is seeking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, having lost in the round of 16 in 2010, 2014, and 2022, and failing to advance from the group stage in 2006 and 2018.
Criticism from International Coaches
Norway coach Stale Solbakken criticized the decision, asking, "What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there going to be some committee somewhere that is going to take that card away? It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup."
Balogun posted on social media a picture of himself in front of US fans with Michael Jackson's "Bad" playing. On Friday, he said he thought a yellow card instead of red "would have been fair." The US Soccer Federation did not make Balogun available for comment on Sunday.
