FIFA Lifts Suspension on Folarin Balogun Ahead of Crucial Match
Balogun's Controversial Red Card Reversal
Folarin Balogun (right) is sent off after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic during America's World Cup triumph on July 1. (Photo:@yirmiucderece/X)
Seattle (US), Jul 6: In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump intervened to lift the red-card suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday.
Balogun, who has emerged as the top scorer for the US team with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for an awkward challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the Americans' 2-0 victory in the round-of-32.
This dismissal led to an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension would be lifted for the crucial round-of-16 match, a decision that was met with both praise from Trump and discontent from the Belgian side.
Reports indicate that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the match, urging a review of the red card, according to a source who requested anonymity.
"Thank you to FIFA for correcting a significant injustice!" Trump expressed on social media.
FIFA clarified that its decision was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary committee regulations, which allows for the suspension of disciplinary measures.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed its shock at FIFA's ruling, while Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia ridiculed the decision, comparing it to an April Fools' joke.
Garcia stated, "The Belgian federation does not defend itself; it protects the national team and the integrity of football. This is unprecedented in World Cup history."
Balogun's red card had sparked significant controversy, with Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially opting not to issue a card before upgrading the decision after a video review.
U.S. captain Christian Pulisic remarked, "There was no intent in the foul at all. There were far worse incidents during this tournament."
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA's decision, stating, "We faced enough punishment against Bosnia and Herzegovina by playing with 10 men for 30 minutes due to an unjust decision."
Balogun, 25, currently plays for Monaco and scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 last season. He has netted 12 goals in 30 appearances for the United States.
Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents residing in London, he switched his international allegiance from England, where he played at the under-21 level, to the United States in 2023.
While the US Soccer Federation did not provide comments from Balogun, he shared a photo with U.S. supporters on social media, accompanied by Michael Jackson's hit song Bad.
On Friday, Balogun expressed that he believed a yellow card would have been a more appropriate punishment.