Trump Intervention Precedes Folarin Balogun Ban Reversal

Folarin Balogun will be available for the USA World Cup clash with Belgium after FIFA reversed the striker’s one-match suspension following an intervention by US President Donald Trump, according to a report by The New York Times.

The report said Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review the decision that ruled Balogun out of the Round of 16 match. The newspaper cited three unnamed people familiar with the matter.

Folarin Balogun received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia in the Round of 32 after accidentally stepping on defender Tarik Muharemovic. Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card normally carries an automatic one-match suspension that cannot be appealed by the player’s national team.

As a result, Folarin Balogun was initially suspended for the United States’ knockout fixture against Belgium, scheduled for Monday.

However, FIFA announced on Sunday that it had lifted the suspension in an unusual move, allowing the striker to return to the squad for the crucial encounter.

Following the decision, Donald Trump thanked the governing body in a post on social media, describing the outcome as “reversing a great injustice.”

The decision has also drawn criticism from Belgium’s football association, which said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension.

The reversal means Folarin Balogun is now eligible to feature as the United States look to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals against Belgium.

Do you think FIFA was right to reverse Folarin Balogun’s suspension before such an important World Cup match?