Folarin Balogun could still be ruled out of the United States’ huge World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend his red-card ban triggered a furious backlash across the game.
Belgium have appealed to get USA striker Folarin Balogun re-banned for their last-16 game
Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino – and later thanked the organisation for ‘reversing a great injustice’
The USA striker, who is the team’s leading scorer at the tournament with three goals, had originally been expected to miss the knockout tie after being shown a straight red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dismissal came after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, with the referee reaching for the red card after reviewing slow-motion footage.
Infantino was sat next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in the last USA game
Balogun was sent off for a tackle during their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trump praised FIFA for ‘reversing a great injustice’ when Balogun’s ban was revoked
But the situation changed dramatically when FIFA announced that Balogun’s one-match suspension had been suspended for a one-year probationary period. That meant the forward would be free to face Belgium unless he committed another offence of a similar nature and gravity during that period.
The decision has sparked one of the biggest controversies of the tournament, particularly after it emerged that Donald Trump had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to question the red card and suspension. Trump later thanked FIFA publicly for what he described as reversing a great injustice.
Belgium, however, are not letting the matter go quietly. Their football association has confirmed that it is challenging Balogun’s eligibility and has been granted the right to appeal the FIFA ruling just hours before the match in Seattle. Both the United States and Belgium were asked to provide information before the appeal hearing, placing Mauricio Pochettino’s plans under sudden pressure.
Trump is expected to attend the World Cup final and hand the trophy to the winner on July 19
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia delivered a sharp reaction, joking that the World Cup had suddenly turned into April Fool’s Day. His federation has made clear that, whatever the result of the match, it will continue to fight for what it calls the principles of ethics, fair competition and football as a whole.
UEFA has also condemned FIFA’s move, warning that if the certainty of rules is no longer protected by those responsible for enforcing them, then the integrity and credibility of the competition are at risk. The European governing body described the decision as unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.
For the USA, the issue is about whether their most dangerous forward will be available for what is being billed as one of the biggest games in American soccer history. If Balogun is banned again, Ricardo Pepi would be expected to start in his place.
For FIFA, the problem is even bigger. A decision that began with one red card has now become a global argument about rules, politics, fairness and power at the heart of the World Cup.
