FIFA uses a rare rule after World Cup star gets a red card, with Donald Trump joining the conversation
USA striker Folarin Balogun will be allowed to play in the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium, even though he was sent off in the round of 32 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun, who has scored three goals and made three assists for the USA during the tournament, received a straight red card for a tackle on Tarik Muharemović in the 2-0 win over Bosnia on July 2 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. This normally means a one-match ban.
However, FIFA has decided to let him play in the next game on July 7 by suspending his ban for one year, following Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. FIFA explained that if Balogun commits a similar offense within a year, his suspension will be enforced, along with any new penalties.
Some people have criticized the decision, saying FIFA might be changing the rules to help the host nation. US President Donald Trump praised FIFA for the call, saying, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!” on Truth Social.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others had asked for the decision to be reviewed after the red card. Rubio said, “They got screwed with that red card… There needs to be an appeal process for that.”
British reporter Ben Jacobs shared that the White House contacted FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino to review the red card. FIFA says the decision was made independently according to their rules, without outside influence.
If the USA wins against Belgium in Seattle, they will reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
FIFA’s rules say that players who get a red card are usually suspended for the next game. If the suspension can’t be served during this World Cup, it will carry over to the team’s next official match, according to the FIFA Disciplinary Code.