FIFA has overturned the red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup round of 16, allowing him to play in Monday's match against Belgium. The decision, announced Sunday, has sparked accusations of favoritism after reports emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump personally requested the intervention from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Balogun was sent off in the 16th round match against Bosnia for a dangerous stamp on defender Tarik Muharemovic. The disciplinary commission initially imposed a one-match suspension, but later changed it to a suspended sentence with a one-year probationary period, citing Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code. This article allows the governing body to partially or fully suspend disciplinary measures at its discretion.
Trump quickly praised the decision on his Truth Social platform, writing: «Thank you to FIFA for doing what was necessary and for correcting a great injustice!» According to several Anglo-Saxon journalists with close ties to FIFA, Trump directly called Infantino to request the favor. The day after the match, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had already described the red card as a «screw-over» and called for an appeal process.
The U.S. Soccer Federation had initially accepted that Balogun would miss the round of 16, but after the reversal, it issued a statement saying: «We accept the decision of the disciplinary commission and we are delighted that Folarin Balogun is allowed to play.» The federation did not explain why it changed its position.
Belgium, the United States' opponent in the round of 16, is likely to question the fairness of the decision. The reversal also raises concerns about potential favoritism for the remainder of the tournament. Critics argue that FIFA's discretionary power could be used to protect star players like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in crucial matches.
According to the French sports daily L'Équipe, the French Football Federation has already requested that FIFA cancel a yellow card issued to Michael Olise, arguing it was unjustified. The federation is waiting to see how FIFA will handle its request, given the precedent set by Balogun's case.
The incident has reignited debate about FIFA's disciplinary processes and the influence of political figures on sports governance. Trump and Infantino have maintained a close relationship, with Infantino attending events at the White House and praising Trump's leadership. The decision is likely to be scrutinized by other national teams and football associations as the World Cup progresses.
Balogun, who plays for AS Monaco in France, has been a key player for the U.S. team, scoring three goals in the tournament so far. His availability for the match against Belgium could significantly impact the outcome, as the U.S. seeks to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.