WASHINGTON (The Thursday Times) — President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card issued to US Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, the New York Times reported, citing three people familiar with the conversation. FIFA on Sunday unexpectedly suspended Balogun’s one-match ban, clearing the 25-year-old top scorer to play in Monday’s round of 16 match against Belgium. Trump quickly praised the decision on Truth Social, writing: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Balogun received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after contact with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic near the sideline. Slow-motion review showed Balogun stepping on the defender’s ankle. Under FIFA tournament regulations, a direct dismissal carries an automatic one-match ban, and multiple FIFA officials had told media after the match that teams were unable to appeal red cards or the resulting suspensions. Balogun had accepted the decision, telling reporters: “It’s been a rollercoaster. I have to accept it.”
The New York Times reported Trump called Infantino on Wednesday and asked FIFA to review the ban. A source who confirmed the call to the Associated Press did not have details on when the call was made or who specifically placed it. Sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs also reported the White House contacted Infantino for that purpose. The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC when asked about Trump’s involvement.
FIFA issued a statement on Sunday invoking a probationary loophole to defer the punishment. “In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said. The statement added that if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period, the suspension will be enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction.
The decision appears to be only the second known instance of FIFA lifting a World Cup red-card suspension, and the first since Brazil’s Garrincha was cleared to play in the 1962 final after being sent off in the semifinal, according to Yahoo Sports. US Soccer issued a statement saying: “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.”
The Belgian Royal Football Association said in a statement it was “astonished” by FIFA’s about-face and argued it directly contradicts FIFA’s own written rules. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia blasted the decision at a Sunday news conference. “I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools,” Garcia said in translated French, according to The Athletic. The Belgian association cited Article 66.4 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, which clearly states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this World Cup.
Balogun, who has scored three goals in three World Cup appearances, is a US citizen by birth who grew up in the United Kingdom. Trump last week lost a case at the Supreme Court challenging birthright citizenship, with a majority of justices ruling that individuals born in the United States are US citizens. Trump last year issued an executive order seeking to sharply restrict birthright citizenship. Without that birthright citizenship, Balogun would not have been eligible to play for the United States at all.
US teammates reacted with delight to the reversal. Defender Chris Richards said players first heard the news while travelling to training and initially were not sure whether it was real. “We weren’t quite sure if it was true or not,” Richards said. “We ultimately found out on social media.” Asked how Balogun reacted, Richards answered with a laugh: “Lit.”
