Balogun reprieve before Belgium match puts FIFA under scrutiny
FIFA let the U.S. striker serve his red-card ban on probation after Donald Trump asked Gianni Infantino to review the case.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
FIFA’s decision to let Folarin Balogun play for the United States against Belgium has drawn sharp criticism before Monday’s World Cup last-16 match. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that the governing body suspended the automatic one-match ban tied to Balogun’s red card after U.S. President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.
Balogun, who plays for Monaco, is the United States’ top scorer at the tournament with three goals, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. His availability gives the U.S. a key attacking player for a knockout match while raising questions from opponents and football officials about whether political pressure affected a disciplinary decision.
What FIFA decided
Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 after a VAR review, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The red card came after he stepped on the right ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
FIFA said it used Article 27 of its disciplinary committee rules to suspend implementation of the sanction, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The rule allows a judicial body to suspend all or part of a disciplinary measure and place the sanctioned person on probation for one to four years.
The U.S. Soccer Federation did not make Balogun available to comment Sunday, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Balogun posted an image of himself in front of U.S. supporters on social media with Michael Jackson’s “Bad” playing over it.
Trump’s role
The Associated Press reported that Trump called Infantino after the Bosnia and Herzegovina match and asked FIFA to review the red card, citing a person familiar with the call who was not authorized to speak publicly. Trump later thanked FIFA on social media for reversing what he called a “great injustice,” according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino backed the decision, saying the United States had already been penalized by playing about 30 minutes with 10 men against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pochettino also said after the match that he did not view the incident as a red-card offence, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Criticism from Belgium and Europe
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” and was examining possible options to protect fair play and the rights of teams, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked the timing by comparing FIFA’s action to April Fools’ Day and said the Belgian federation was defending football’s integrity and ethics.
UEFA said FIFA had crossed a red line by suspending the one-match ban for a one-year probationary period, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The European governing body called the decision unprecedented, hard to understand and unjustifiable.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also criticized the move on X, saying red cards should be overturned through rules, evidence and independent bodies rather than political calls, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Norway coach Stale Solbakken said the decision would damage the World Cup, while England coach Thomas Tuchel questioned where such reviews could stop after VAR had already upheld the red card.
Why the case stands out
Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that this is the first time since 1962 that a World Cup red card has not led to a suspension. In that tournament, Brazil’s Garrincha was allowed to play the final after a disciplinary panel issued only a warning for his semifinal red card, at a time when red cards did not automatically carry a next-match ban.
FIFA has used suspension powers in other recent cases, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban before the World Cup, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. But Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match ban after a red-card tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone at this tournament, a contrast critics are using as the debate over Balogun continues.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.