President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he requested the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to review the suspension of U.S. soccer forward Folarin Balogun, intensifying the debate over World Cup fairness. FIFA announced it would postpone Balogun's one-match suspension for a year just a day before the U.S. faces Belgium in the Round of 16, raising concerns in European soccer that the host nation's influence may have softened the penalty.
According to reports from Reuters and other outlets, Trump spoke with reporters at the White House on July 6, stating, "I spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested a review." He argued that Balogun's foul was not a foul, claiming, "It was just two players colliding while running at full speed." However, he emphasized, "I did not tell them what to do. The decision was made by FIFA's internal committee."
Balogun received a red card for stepping on an opponent's ankle during the U.S. match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2. Initially, this meant he would miss the match against Belgium on July 6. However, FIFA informed the U.S. Soccer Federation of its decision to postpone the suspension based on the disciplinary committee's judgment. While the red card remains on record, the restriction on Balogun's participation in the Belgium match has been lifted.
The Wall Street Journal reported that this decision followed Trump's direct call and actions from the U.S. administration. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, reportedly discussed strategies immediately after the match, believing Balogun's absence could impact the U.S. team's chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.
FIFA maintains that it can delay the enforcement of penalties under its regulations. Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code allows independent bodies, such as the disciplinary committee, to suspend sanctions for a certain period. In a media statement, Infantino denied allegations of political pressure, asserting, "FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently." He acknowledged the call with Trump but clarified that he merely explained that the process was ongoing.
The European Football Association (UEFA) criticized FIFA, stating it has "crossed a red line." UEFA argued that the automatic one-match suspension following a red card is not a discretionary matter and described the decision as "unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable." They emphasized that consistent application of rules is essential for maintaining trust in soccer, claiming this incident undermines that principle.
The Royal Belgian Football Association also contended that FIFA pushed through the decision without adequate explanation. The association requested documentation and procedural guidance but claimed FIFA treated this as an appeal, hastily concluding the matter. Belgium has vowed to continue its response for the sake of fair competition and the integrity of soccer.
The controversy has also resonated within the U.S. Some sports commentators and political figures have expressed concern that if the U.S. defeats Belgium with Balogun in the lineup, the victory may carry a "political interference" label. Even if the U.S. team wins on merit, doubts about the tournament's fairness are likely to persist.
This situation has drawn attention to the close relationship between Infantino and Trump. Infantino has appeared at several official events and diplomatic occasions attended by Trump and has faced criticism for establishing the FIFA Peace Prize, awarded to Trump, suggesting political involvement in soccer administration. With the suspension of Balogun now in question, the debate over FIFA's independence and the trustworthiness of the World Cup is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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