President Donald Trump has confirmed that he asked FIFA to review the red‑card suspension imposed on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun, 25, was due to miss his last‑16 clash with Belgium after a straight red card in the round of 32 for a foul on Bosnia‑Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, citing Article 27, elected to suspend Balogun’s automatic one‑match ban for a 12‑month probationary period, permitting him to play in Seattle.
The decision drew backlash from UEFA, the Belgian FA and England coach Thomas Tuchel, who accused FIFA of eroding sporting integrity.
Trump insisted during a White House briefing that the foul was not intended and that FIFA had "made the right decision", arguing the ban would have marred the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino clarified that only the organisation’s independent judicial bodies would consider any further appeal, stressing the need to respect the ruling.
The episode highlights the friction between political influence, regulatory enforcement and the perceived fairness of football governance at the world’s flagship event.
