U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier this week to ask the soccer governing body to review a red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, according to a source briefed on the call.
FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun would be eligible to play for the U.S. in Monday’s knockout game against Belgium, a rare reversal of the prior one-game suspension he was facing after receiving a red card against Bosnia. Trump praised the decision, writing on Truth Social that it had reversed a “great injustice.”
Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by FIFA.
The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0.
FIFA said that the automatic one-match ban will be suspended for a year.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” it said in a statement.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social.
Trump, a friend of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who had demanded the decision to be reviewed.
Asked about the USA’s World Cup performance during a news conference, Rubio said: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card.
“There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”
Balogun has been a key figure for the US at the World Cup, scoring twice for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they began their campaign with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.
The former Arsenal forward also opened the scoring against Bosnia before getting sent off in the 64th minute after a tussle with Muharemovic for a looping ball.
As Balogun attempted to shield the ball, Muharemovic managed to get in front of him, and as the forward’s boot returned to the ground, it landed on the back of the Bosnian’s ankle, causing it to twist.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus brandished the red card after he was sent to the pitchside monitor to watch a super slow-motion replay of the incident by the video assistant referee (VAR).
According to FIFA regulations, a red card “automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match” but the governing body “may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures”.
During the group stages of the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his one-match suspension increased to five matches for his foul on Canada’s Ismael Kone, who was left with a broken leg.
