FIFA is facing backlash after lifting Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension, clearing the U.S. forward to play in the World Cup round of 16 against Belgium after Donald Trump urged the governing body to review the decision.
Balogun, 25, was shown a straight red card in the United States’ 2-0 round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, after a video review for a high challenge on Tarik Muharemović. Under standard FIFA disciplinary rules, that dismissal would normally trigger an automatic one-match ban for the next fixture.
But FIFA later confirmed that the suspension had been put on hold for a year-long probation period, making Balogun available for Monday’s match against Belgium in Seattle.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” a statement from FIFA said.
“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.”
Trump praised the outcome, describing it as “reversing a great injustice!” FIFA president Gianni Infantino was understood to have taken the call, and the decision quickly sparked criticism from Belgium’s camp.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia branded FIFA’s intervention a “disgrace,” arguing the decision undermined the certainty of tournament rules.
In comments reported after the announcement, Garcia said he did not understand how FIFA could lift a suspension that should have been automatic.
He added that Belgium’s federation was considering its options, including the possibility of a challenge to protect the integrity of the competition.
Belgium officials argued that a minimum automatic one-match suspension following a red card is not discretionary and should apply consistently across the tournament.
“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case, not.”
It added: “A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.
“It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.”
Belgium went further, warning that if regulations can be changed mid-tournament, the credibility of both the competition and the wider game is put at risk.
The ruling also creates a major precedent for the World Cup, suggesting that similar disciplinary cases could now be argued in the same way in future.
The United States remain the only host nation still left in the tournament after Canada were beaten 3-0 by Morocco.
Elsewhere, Mexico were defeated 3-2 by England at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in a match that had already attracted controversy before kick-off.
The Americans are now preparing to face Belgium in their round-of-16 showdown.