‘Shameful’ Trump act slammed after US star’s ban overturned
FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension at the World Cup after an intervention from Donald Trump has incited fury, with the US star now free to play against Belgium in the round of 16.
Balogun was handed a red card during the host nation’s clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which initially ruled him out of the next match.
Donald Trump has built a relationship with Gianni Infantino. AP
But in a stunning turn of events, the governing body have pushed back the striker’s suspension by a year, allowing him to play on Tuesday (AEST).
It has since been widely reported that White House officials made a direct call to FIFA asking boss Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s sanction.
FIFA sources insisted that they made the decision of their own volition, under Article 27 of the disciplinary panel.
Trump took to Truth Social to praise the decision from Infantino.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Balogun scored the opening goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina before receiving the red card for a bad challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.
The decision has unsurprisingly gone down like a lead balloon with USA’s rivals at the tournament, with Belgium’s Football Association condemning the move.
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match,” an official statement read.
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia didn’t mince his words when asked about the backflip.
“I didn’t know the game was being played on April Fool’s Day rather than July 6,” he said on Monday morning (AEST).
“We’re not defending the national team or federation, we are defending football.”
US coach Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with the outcome.
“My reaction is like everyone. I love the sport and trust the ethical integrity of it ... we celebrate the decision,” he said.
“We were punished enough against Bosnia to play with 10 men for 30 minutes, in a decision that was unfair. It’s not because I’m the head coach of the USA … I think 99.9 per cent of people agree it was an unfair red card.”
Arsenal great Thierry Henry believes justice was served, but questioned the process that led to Balogun being cleared to play.
“I do not think it was the right call and we all said it ... he didn’t do that on purpose, we all know that,” he said on Fox Sports USA.
“It was the right call, but why so late? Why didn’t it happen straight away? I have to say, if you’re Belgium and prepared for the game, it changes everything.”
Since the introduction of yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup, no player has ever received a red card and then played in his team’s next game.
France are meanwhile now pushing FIFA to overturn the yellow card given to star player Michael Olise, which has resulted in a ban for his side’s next game.
