Why FIFA’s Balogun red card suspension after Trump call is so controversial

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.

Belgium submits appeal on FIFA red card suspension for Folarin Balogun

The Royal Belgian Football Association on Monday submitted an appeal to FIFA regarding a ruling that overturned a one-game ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The move came after President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging him to review the red card given to Balogun. The World Cup governing body ultimately suspended Balogun’s red...

Donald Trump's Diplomatic Foul Play? FIFA Mysteriously Lifts Folarin Balogun's Red Card

USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's controversial red card suspension has been controversially lifted by FIFA, enabling him to play against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 today, July 6, 2026. This astonishing decision follows widespread reports of direct intervention from US President Donald Trump with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking.

U.S. soccer cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card suspension

SANTA CLARA — The U.S. cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s red card and ensuing suspension from the Americans’ round of 16 match against Belgium, U.S. soccer officials confirmed. FIFA rules governing the 2026 World Cup, first cited by The Athletic, state that “a sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional []