Folarin Balogun’s participation in the impending World Cup clash against Belgium on Monday remains uncertain as a contentious dispute unfolds, sparked by Donald Trump’s unexpected involvement in his red card controversy.
Belgium’s soccer authorities, outraged by the overturning of Balogun’s suspension, have successfully secured the right to challenge FIFA’s decision. They are hopeful of a resolution before the evening kickoff in Seattle, although it remains unclear whether the appeal will result in Balogun’s ban being enforced.
Both countries have been instructed to submit relevant information regarding the appeal process by 5 a.m. PST on Monday. With the match scheduled for 5 p.m. PST, there is a tight timeframe for FIFA’s appeals committee to review the case, and a designated member has been appointed to handle the proceedings.
The controversy began when Balogun, currently the USA’s leading scorer in the tournament with three goals, received a controversial red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. The decision was heavily criticized and initially meant that Balogun would have to sit out the next game.
Further intrigue was added when it emerged that President Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino, seeking clarification on the rationale behind the red card and subsequent suspension, according to sources from the Daily Mail.
The source added that the ‘US government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.’
Belgium have appealed to get USA striker Folarin Balogun re-banned for their last-16 game
Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino – and later thanked the organisation for ‘reversing a great injustice’
FIFA then announced on Sunday that it had suspended Balogun’s ban for a one-year ‘probationary’ period, wiping it out unless he commits another offence of ‘similar nature and gravity’.
After FIFA kicked back Balogun’s ban, Trump, who was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Infantino last year, wrote on Truth Social: ‘Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’
Infantino was sat next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during the game where Balogun was sent off in the San Francisco Bay.
‘We celebrate that decision,’ USA manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Sunday. ‘This is good for football, to celebrate [that] in the next game if an unfair thing happens you can reverse the decision.’
But now, his plans are potentially in chaos if his star man is ruled out once again just hours before the game starts.
Ironically, Balogun qualifies to play for the United States due to ‘birthright citizenship’ – a rule Trump was wanted to overturn.
His heavily pregnant mother was stopped from boarding a flight out of the United States when she was heavily pregnant and Balogun was then born in Brooklyn, New York.
Belgium soccer bosses hit out at the unprecedented move in an angry statement, saying it was astonished’. Its coach, Rudi Garcia, added: ‘I didn’t know that at the World Cup, July 5th is now April 1st – April Fool’s Day. We’re defending football and its ethics.’
Infantino was sat next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in the last USA game
Balogun was sent off for a tackle during their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trump praised FIFA for ‘reversing a great injustice’ when Balogun’s ban was revoked
They were backed up by European soccer’s governing body UEFA, who went to war with FIFA with a blistering statement of their own.
‘When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined,’ UEFA said.
‘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.
‘We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.’
Balogun was sent off in the second half of the win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the San Francisco Bay after a tangle of legs with opposition defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The United States striker’s leg raked down Muharemovic’s calf while he was struggling balance and jostling to win possession of the ball.
Balogun, who had scored earlier in the game, was shown a red card after the referee watched the incident back in slow motion on a video replay, deciding the USA man was guilty of serious foul play.
Trump is expected to attend the World Cup final and hand the trophy to the winner on July 19
The United States are trying to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2002 by beating Belgium, with many considering Monday night’s game the biggest ever in US soccer.
If Balogun was to now miss the game, Ricardo Pepi would be expected to start in his place.
Trump is not expected to attend. Despite going to multiple major US sporting events since beginning his second term as President, he has not made it to a World Cup game yet.
He is, however, set to attend the final on July 19 with Infantino saying recently that he and Trump will hand the trophy over to the winner ‘together’.
Infantino, speaking to Fox before Trump’s call about Balogun’s red card, said: ‘We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together.’