World Cup: Trump reacts as FIFA reverses red card suspension for US striker
World governing football body, FIFA, has suspended the one-match ban imposed on Nigeria-born US Striker, Folarin Balogun, following his red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 64th minute of Wednesday’s knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was controversially judged after a VAR review to have stamped on the back of […]
World governing football body, FIFA, has suspended the one-match ban imposed on Nigeria-born US Striker, Folarin Balogun, following his red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the 64th minute of Wednesday’s knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was controversially judged after a VAR review to have stamped on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic’s foot.
Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s tournament regulations, a direct red card automatically carries a one-match suspension.
But USA’s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino had said after the match that Balogun — who scored the US opener in Wednesday’s game — should never have received a red card.
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Pochettino said it “should be fair” to appeal the decision, but said he would have to consider “different options” if it is not.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday his country’s World Cup team had been “screwed” and called for an appeal after star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia.
Washington’s top diplomat tackled the sporting controversy a day after Balogun was given a red card in the 2-0 US win.
“There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that, right?” added Rubio, who was leading a group of people on a tour,” he had said.
Weighing in on the issue, a spokesperson for FIFA had told AFP that according to regulations, Balogun was automatically suspended for his team’s next match, and the suspension could not be appealed.
However, FIFA has now suspended the sanction, making the striker eligible for selection against Belgium.
“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,” FIFA started.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump appreciated FIFA’s gesture.
Trump, who has a good relationship with Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, and was the recipient of FIFA’s World Peace award, thanked the football body for overturning a “great injustice”.
“Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Balogun — who was born in New York but raised in England and now plays for French club Monaco — has scored three times for the USA this World Cup.
The USA will face Belgium at the Seattle stadium on Monday, in a repeat of their 2014 World Cup round of 16 match the Red Devils won 2-1 after extra time. They are attempting to reach the quarter-final stage for the third time in their World Cup history, and first time since Korea/Japan 2002.