FIFA shook the football world on Sunday after overturning the automatic one-match suspension of US striker "Folarin Balogun" and allowing him to play in the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Just a few hours later, the "New York Times" reported that President "Donald Trump" had called FIFA President "Gianni Infantino" on Wednesday with a request for the disqualification to be reviewed – a revelation that immediately sparked controversy over political interference in the course of the tournament.
Unprecedented reversal in disciplinary decision
Balogun, the US national team's top scorer in this World Cup with "three goals", received a direct "red card" for a foul against Bosnia and Herzegovina defender "Tarik Muharemovic" in the round-of-32 match on July 1st in Santa Clara, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the US. According to FIFA rules, a red card automatically leads to a one-match disqualification with no right to appeal – this had been confirmed by FIFA representatives to journalists even during the past week.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced that it had applied "Article 27" of the disciplinary code and converted Balogun's suspension into a "conditional" one for a period of one year, instead of enforcing it immediately. "The execution of the one-match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," the official FIFA statement said. "If Folarin Balogun commits another offense of a similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspension will be carried out."
According to "NPR" data, this decision is likely the first case since "1962" in which a footballer has been granted the right to take the field in a World Cup match despite having been sent off with a red card in the previous game.
Trump's role and the political fallout
According to the "New York Times", Trump called Infantino on Wednesday – the same day Balogun received the red card – and demanded that FIFA "reconsider the disqualification". After the decision to postpone the suspension was announced, Trump welcomed the outcome on the "Truth Social" platform: "Thanks to FIFA for doing the right thing and correcting a glaring injustice!"
According to "Politico", this development has intensified internal opposition against Infantino within FIFA: at least "three of the eight vice-presidents" of the organization have expressed dissatisfaction with what they see as a demonstration of the president's readiness to comply with Trump's demands. The Royal Belgian Football Association published a statement declaring its dissatisfaction with the decision.
Reaction in the US and the team
The US Soccer Federation took a moderate tone, stating that it "accepts the decision" of FIFA and that "all our focus is on the round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle". The players from the national team learned the news on Sunday morning on the team bus.
"I think many of us initially thought it was a fake," admitted one of the players to journalists, describing the surprise in the locker room at the unprecedented reversal of the disciplinary decision.
What comes next: Balogun leading the attack against Belgium
The USA vs. Belgium round-of-16 match is scheduled for "Monday at 5:00 PM Eastern Time" at "Lumen Field" stadium in Seattle. Balogun is expected to "lead the attack" for the American team, which significantly changes the sporting outlook of the match compared to a scenario in which he would be out of the squad.
The FIFA decision, as well as the claims of Trump's involvement, place additional focus on the match: beyond a sporting event, it is becoming a symbol of the controversial boundary between politics and the governance of world football.