Trump Called FIFA President for Review of Balogun Red Card Before Ban Was Lifted
FIFA cited its bylaws in suspending Balogun’s red card, reversing the usual one-match ban after Trump appealed to Gianni Infantino.
- On Sunday, FIFA announced U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun is eligible to play against Belgium on Monday, overturning the red card suspension he received during Wednesday's round-of-32 match against Bosnia.
- FIFA rules mandate that a player receiving a red card is ineligible for the next match; Balogun faced this suspension after stepping awkwardly on a Bosnian defender's ankle in an unintentional foul.
- Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received the red card for stepping on Tarik Muharemovic's ankle in the 2-0 round-of-32 win, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
- President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday after the red card, and FIFA subsequently cited Article 27 of its bylaws allowing suspension of the disciplinary measure.
- Critics allege favoritism toward the U.S. as host nation and personal bias from Infantino toward Trump, concerns amplified by the FIFA Peace Prize Infantino awarded Trump in December 2025.
181 Articles
181 Articles
Fury as Folarin Balogun suspension overturned after Donald Trump asked Fifa
THE Belgian Football Association has said it is “astonished” and “investigating all potential options” after it emerged Donald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino to ask for US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban to be reviewed ...
Initially suspended American soccer player Folarin Balogun is allowed to participate in the World Cup match against Belgium in the Round of 16 this coming Tuesday after all.
The American president allegedly had a hand in getting the red card overturned.
DECRYPTAGE – Against all expectations, the attacker of the American selection Folarin Balogun will be able to play this Monday against Belgium. Surrealist and scandalous. Explanations.
FIFA overturns US star striker Balogun's red card after Trump calls Infantino
Folarin Balogun had received a straight red card during America's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-match ban. But the US president personally called the FIFA president to ask him to allow Balogun to play.
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