In a landmark and highly controversial decision, FIFA has lifted the red-card suspension against U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in Monday’s high-stakes World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. The ruling comes after U.S. President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Based on the official Associated Press dispatch, the decision marks an extraordinary turn of events, appearing to be the first time since 1962 that a red card issued during a World Cup tournament did not result in an automatic suspension. FIFA announced the decision on Sunday, triggering immediate praise from the White House and outrage from the Belgian camp.
According to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity, President Trump contacted Infantino following the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, urging the governing body to review the incident that saw Balogun sent off for stepping on an opponent’s ankle.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump stated on social media, per the AP report.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed astonishment at the ruling. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mockingly compared the decision to an April Fools’ joke, stating through a translator: “I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe.” The federation added that it is « investigating all potential options » to safeguard fair play.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee relied on Article 27 of its rules to suspend the one-match ban for a probationary period of one year. The ruling allows Balogun—who leads the U.S. with three goals in the tournament, matching Landon Donovan’s 2010 record—to take the pitch against Belgium. U.S. Coach Mauricio Pochettino applauded the reversal, calling the initial red card « completely unfair, » while other international managers, including England’s Thomas Tuchel and Norway’s Ståle Solbakken, expressed concern over the precedent it sets.
The U.S. seeks to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
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