Soccer-A blue city shakes off politics over US forward Balogun’s red card controversy

GAMES TURN POLITICAL

GAMES TURN POLITICAL (Main headline, 5th story, link) Related stories:TRUMP CARD: WORLD CUP CHEATS FOR USA?FIFA FURORBELGIUM APPEAL FAILSTHE DON THREATENS REFSHOWDOWN IN SEATTLE

Trump Inserts Himself Into World Cup Drama

Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has sparked international outrage after reports confirmed he intervened in the World Cup.It began after Team USA superstar Folarin Balogun was handed a red card in the second half of the July 1 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after clashing with an opposing player’s foot. As a result, he was ejected from the game and given a one-game suspension. At the time, FIFA said that the referee’s call was final and could not be overturned or appealed. “I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call. I think a yellow card would have been fair, just due to it not being intentional,” Balogun told reporters on Friday.Read more at The Daily Beast.

FIFA bows to Trump's demands and drops suspension of US player

FIFA has bowed to US President Donald Trump by reversing the controversial red-card ban for star player Folarin Balogun. US national team striker Folarin Balogun received a one-game ban during the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after awkwardly stepping on one of their players’ ankles. Balogun was set to miss the round of 16 match this week, and the decision was originally not subject to appeal or review. Trump stepped in by calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the week to get a review to retract the red-card suspension. The President’s call worked, marking a major win for Team USA as the red card ban was overturned.

Folarin Balogun red card: did Fifa cross a red line?

Folarin Balogun red card: did Fifa cross a red line?

World Cup 2026: Trump admits lobbying Fifa over Balogun; Henderson out of tournament as England set up Norway quarter-final – live

World Cup news and reaction as the last 16 continues Uefa accuses Fifa of ‘crossing red line’ over Balogun Mexico 2-3 England | Player guide | And email usWe haven’t even mentioned Balogun-gate yet. The Belgian FA, and you can assume a large proportion of the football world, has been left “astonished” by Fifa’s decision after lobbying by Donald Trump to reverse the suspension given to the striker for his red card in the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is now free to play in the last-16 game against Belgium.Sources have told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to Fifa, starting from Wednesday, to ensure that the change was made. Continue reading...