US President Donald Trump has thanked FIFA for suspending Folarin Balogun's one-game ban following a controversial red card at the World Cup, allowing the striker to play in the last-16 tie against Belgium.
FIFA suspends Balogun's ban
The Monaco forward was sent off during USA's 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The automatic one-match suspension would have ruled him out of Monday's clash in Seattle, but FIFA used Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the ban for a probationary period of one year.
A FIFA statement on Sunday read: '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. 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's reaction and White House involvement
Trump thanked FIFA on Truth Social, writing: 'Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.' According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the White House made direct contact with FIFA to request a review of the red card.
However, there is no formal mechanism to appeal red cards at the World Cup, so FIFA did not reverse the decision but instead used a procedural clause to allow Balogun to play. The same Article 27 was used earlier this summer to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal's opening World Cup matches after a three-game ban for a red card against the Republic of Ireland in November 2025; Ronaldo served one game and had the other two suspended.
US Soccer and Pochettino respond
US Soccer issued a statement accepting the decision: 'We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.'
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino, who had criticised the red card, said: 'For me? Never a red card. Never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident.'
