By Gloria Ogbonna
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA to review the controversial suspension of United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) striker Folarin Balogun after the forward received a disputed red card during the Americans’ FIFA World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to reports from Fox News and The New York Times, a source familiar with the matter confirmed on Sunday that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident. The call reportedly came amid growing criticism from fans, analysts, and former players who questioned both the officiating decision and the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the match.
Although the exact details of the conversation have not been disclosed, the reports state that Trump asked FIFA to take another look at the circumstances surrounding Balogun’s dismissal. Trump has previously described Infantino as both “a great leader in sports” and a personal friend, making the reported conversation notable as controversy surrounding the World Cup intensified.
Balogun, one of the United States’ standout performers throughout the tournament, had already scored the winning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina before being sent off late in the match following a VAR review. The dismissal forced the striker to miss the closing minutes of the game and automatically ruled him out of the Americans’ Round of 16 showdown against Belgium.
However, in a dramatic reversal announced by FIFA on Sunday, the governing body suspended the enforcement of Balogun’s disciplinary sanction, making him immediately eligible to play against Belgium while placing him under a one-year probationary period.
The decision marked a significant boost for the United States, with Balogun entering the knockout stage as one of the team’s most dangerous attacking players. The striker has scored three goals during the World Cup and has become a central figure in the U.S. offense as the Americans pursue a deep run in the tournament.
President Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision shortly after the announcement, praising the organization for what he described as correcting an unfair outcome.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
FIFA’s decision does not erase Balogun’s red card from the record. Instead, the suspension has been deferred under provisions contained within the FIFA Disciplinary Code. According to The Athletic, the code gives FIFA’s judicial bodies the authority to suspend the implementation of certain disciplinary sanctions either fully or partially under appropriate circumstances.
The regulations also make clear that the probation carries conditions. If Balogun commits another offense of a similar nature and seriousness during the one-year probationary period, the suspended punishment can be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary measures resulting from the future incident.
U.S. Soccer accepted FIFA’s ruling and expressed satisfaction that Balogun would be available for the crucial Round of 16 match.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement. “Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
The decision, however, has not been welcomed by Belgium.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) issued a sharply worded statement criticizing FIFA’s interpretation of its disciplinary rules. Belgian officials argued that the automatic suspension resulting from a red card is clearly outlined in both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the FIFA World Cup Competition Regulations, adding that overturning the punishment threatens the consistency and integrity of the tournament.
The federation announced that it is reviewing every available option in response to FIFA’s ruling.
“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 of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the statement said.
The controversy stems from the VAR review that led to Balogun’s dismissal, with critics arguing that the referee relied on slow-motion replay to assess the severity of the challenge rather than evaluating it at normal speed, as FIFA’s officiating guidelines generally recommend for judging the intensity of fouls. Supporters of the U.S. striker contend that flaws in the review process, rather than the challenge itself, justified FIFA’s decision to suspend the sanction.
As the United States prepares to face Belgium in one of the tournament’s most anticipated knockout matches, Balogun’s reinstatement has become one of the biggest storylines of the World Cup. While FIFA considers the disciplinary matter settled for now, the debate over officiating, VAR procedures, and consistency in enforcing tournament rules is likely to continue long after the final whistle.
Source Breitbrat