Political pressure, Belgian backlash and UEFA criticism fuel debate over Balogun’s World Cup reprieve.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Monday defended the decision to clear US World Cup star Folarin Balogun to play after Donald Trump said he had personally appealed to the head of world football’s governing body over the suspension.
Balogun, one of the standout performers for the United States at the tournament, had been expected to miss the last-16 clash against Belgium national football team in Seattle after being sent off during the team’s previous-round win over Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that it had suspended Balogun’s red-card suspension, clearing him to feature against Belgium and triggering widespread controversy over the decision.
The controversy showed no signs of fading just hours before the 5:00 pm kickoff (0100 GMT Tuesday) of what was billed as the biggest match in the history of American soccer.
FIFA also rejected Belgium’s appeal against the decision, ruling it “inadmissible” and allowing the suspension of Balogun’s red card to stand.
Belgium’s football association said earlier that it had “still not received any decision or explanation from FIFA” regarding the suspension reversal, adding to frustration over the ruling.
Facing mounting questions over the decision to allow Balogun to feature, FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted on Monday that the organisation’s disciplinary procedures were independent and beyond his personal influence.
Trump contacts Infantino
The controversy intensified after Trump confirmed that he had personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino over Balogun’s red card. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he called Infantino, with whom he has developed a close relationship, because he believed the decision was not a foul.
“All I did was ask for a review, I didn’t say you have to do this,” Trump said.
Infantino said he told Trump that the matter was part of an ongoing legal process handled by FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the final decision would be made by the appropriate authorities.
‘Crosses red line’
Infantino said he regularly reviews disciplinary rulings and acknowledged that he is “sometimes surprised” by them, adding that he may agree or disagree with individual decisions.
However, he stressed that he always respects the outcomes and the independence of FIFA’s judicial bodies responsible for making such rulings.
The chair of the FIFA disciplinary panel that reviewed Balogun’s case also defended the decision on Monday but did not reveal the reasons behind the US striker’s reprieve.
The panel said that suspending disciplinary measures was “nothing new in the modern game” and remained within FIFA’s authority and discretion.
However, European football’s governing body UEFA criticised the decision, saying FIFA had “crossed a red line” by clearing Balogun to play.
“Football, like any other sport, depends on rules that form the foundation of fair, honest and transparent competition. While rules can sometimes be open to interpretation, in this case they were not,” UEFA said.
The organisation also warned that the decision could have wider consequences for the credibility and governance of football.
UEFA said football’s global appeal is built on trust and consistency, arguing that the sport’s credibility depends on the same rules being applied across competitions.
“Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws,” UEFA said.
The organisation added that major tournaments, particularly the World Cup, have consequences far beyond the competition itself and can influence the future direction of the sport.
The decision also drew criticism from figures across football. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he initially thought the announcement of Balogun’s suspension being overturned was an April Fool’s joke, while Norway coach Ståle Solbakken described FIFA’s move as “a big mistake.”
Former England and Manchester United F.C. star Gary Neville also criticised the decision, saying it had left “a stain” on the World Cup.
Former England and Manchester United star Gary Neville criticised the decision, claiming that Trump’s intervention had influenced the outcome.
“(Trump) rang up somebody at FIFA and asked them to change their mind, and lo and behold, an independent committee then changed their mind,” Neville said. “It stinks.”
Infantino, meanwhile, said he regularly spoke with Trump about developments at the World Cup, describing their conversations as part of his wider discussions surrounding the tournament.
Infantino acknowledged that he had received a call from Trump regarding the matter, saying he regularly discussed World Cup-related issues with the US president.
“I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump,” Infantino said.
Infantino said such conversations were not unusual, noting that he frequently receives calls from world leaders, government officials, football figures and business executives on a wide range of issues.
“Just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues,” Infantino said.
The Swiss-Italian official, who has led FIFA since 2016, maintained close contact with the White House in the lead-up to the World Cup and was a regular visitor during preparations for the tournament.
Last year, Infantino presented Trump with FIFA’s newly introduced peace prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington.
