In a development that has stunned the sporting world, United States forward Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the team’s crucial round-of-16 knockout match against Belgium following direct personal lobbying from the White House.
The 25-year-old Monaco striker Balogun who lead the US men’s national team with three goals in the tournament is facing an automatic match suspension after receiving a straight red card during a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA made this shocking decision which received a widespread criticism including from Uefa, Belgium and England boss Thomas Tuchel.
The Royal Belgian Football Association is shocked by the decision. They have told the US Soccer Federation that they are challenging Balogun’s right to play in the match after their own appeal against the ruling was rejected.
Trump said FIFA made the right call because banning Balogun would have ruined the tournament. Speaking at the White House on Monday, he explained that he asked for the review simply because he didn’t think it was a foul.
Trump said he talked to FIFA President Gianni Infantino but only asked for a review he didn’t order him to lift the ban.
Trump added: “I think [the ban] would have ruined the tournament. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t think they made the decision; I think the commission made it and it was the right call.”
However, European football governing body Uefa said it left the integrity of football at stake.
Trump called referee Raphael Claus’ decision “horrible” and said the Brazilian referee was “a little bit suspect.”
In response, the Brazilian Football Confederation defended Claus, stating: “There is nothing in his record that ruins his reputation or gives any reason for suspicion. He is an exemplary professional.”
In a post on X, Infantino said that when Trump called him, he told the US President that FIFA’s independent legal bodies were already handling the case and would make the final decision.
Meanwhile, the FIFA appeal committee rejected Belgium’s challenge, ruling that Belgium has no say in the matter because they weren’t involved in the original incident they are just the United States’ next opponents.
FIFA explained that Belgium’s request was rejected because the Belgian FA was not a part of the original case, meaning they have no legal right to appeal it. Because no other involved party is challenging the ruling, Balogun is officially cleared to play against Belgium.
The Belgian FA stated they still haven’t been told why their appeal was rejected. They are still waiting for FIFA to share the referee’s report and explain why the player was allowed to play, calling the lack of information a breach of FIFA rules.
When asked about Trump’s comments, FIFA said they had nothing more to add. However, Infantino later defended FIFA’s legal teams, stating they are completely independent and their rulings must always be respected.
Infantino added: “I read the decisions when they come out. Sometimes I am surprised, sometimes I agree, and sometimes I disagree. But I always respect them and let those bodies do their jobs. It doesn’t matter if we personally like a decision or not. Respecting independent institutions and the rules is what keeps our competitions fair and keeps FIFA credible.”
The Belgian FA shared its deep worries, stating: “No matter who wins this match, we are very concerned about how things happened. We will keep fighting in the coming days and months to protect fairness, ethics, and the good of the sport as a whole.”
England head coach Thomas Tuchel said the ruling set a dangerous precedent.
Tuchel had defender Jarell Quansah sent off in a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico.
“The big question is where do we draw the line,” he said. “I don’t have an answer to that.
“Do we start appealing every time a yellow card is given? Who gets to decide if a card is right or wrong? Where does this start and where does it end? That is my question, and I don’t have the answer.”
UEFA said that stepping in to cancel a suspension during a tournament “crossed a red line.”
Out of 189 other red cards in World Cup history, only one other player has ever escaped a ban. That was Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962 before automatic suspensions existed and that decision was clouded by rumors of political interference.
FIFA used Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows punishments to be put on hold, to announce that Balogun’s one-match ban would be delayed for a one-year trial period. However, FIFA still has not given a specific reason for its decision in Balogun’s case.
