Donald Trump Thanks FIFA After Balogun Ban Is Suspended Ahead of Belgium Clash
United States President Donald Trump has thanked FIFA after the world football governing body suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, allowing the striker to play in the USA’s World Cup last-16 match against Belgium.
Balogun had been expected to miss the crucial knockout match after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the automatic suspension had been suspended for a probationary period of one year.
The decision means the 25-year-old forward will be available for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they seek a place in the quarter-finals.
Following FIFA’s announcement, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his satisfaction with the decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote. “President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Reports from AFP and Reuters have claimed that Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino earlier this week to request a review of Balogun’s red card. However, these reports have not been independently confirmed.
FIFA did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision, but cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows sanctions to be suspended under certain circumstances.
“In line with Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement.
The governing body added that if Balogun commits a similar offence during that period, the suspension will be immediately enforced, alongside any new punishment.
The decision has sparked anger in Belgium, with the Royal Belgian Football Association describing FIFA’s action as “astonishing”.
The Belgian federation argued that every other red card shown at this World Cup had resulted in an automatic suspension and claimed the decision contradicted regulations that had been clearly communicated to all participating nations before the tournament.
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the federation said.
The United States squad reportedly learned of the decision while travelling to training on Sunday.
USA captain Christian Pulisic said Balogun was delighted by the news.
“He had a big smile on his face, and so did all of us,” Pulisic said. “The foul wasn’t what it was made out to be. It was a harsh decision.”
Balogun has been one of the USA’s standout performers at the tournament, scoring twice since the competition began. The former Arsenal striker also opened the scoring against Bosnia-Herzegovina before being sent off in the 64th minute following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Referee Raphael Claus initially awarded a yellow card but changed his decision to a red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor following advice from the video assistant referee.
The controversy surrounding Balogun’s suspension has generated widespread debate in the United States, with fans, pundits and politicians questioning both the decision and FIFA’s disciplinary procedures.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who called for the punishment to be reviewed.
“They got screwed with that red card,” Rubio said during a recent press conference. “There needs to be an appeal process for that.”
FIFA’s decision is not without precedent. Earlier this year, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to play at the World Cup after FIFA suspended part of a previous ban imposed during the qualification campaign.
Balogun’s availability now provides a major boost for the United States as they prepare to face Belgium in one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup knockout stage.
