Former Everton and England star Wayne Rooney has branded FIFA's decision to suspend USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after a red card as 'an absolute disgrace' and called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to be 'ashamed'.
Balogun's Red Card and FIFA's Surprise Ruling
Balogun, 25, was sent off during USA's 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara. The former Arsenal player's studs raked down defender Tarik Muharemovic's calf towards his ankle. Balogun, the tournament's top scorer for the hosts with three goals, was expected to miss the last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle. However, on Sunday night, FIFA unexpectedly announced that his one-match ban had been suspended for a year, without providing any justification.
Reaction from Belgian FA and US President
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed astonishment at the decision, especially as the US had not lodged an appeal—no such process exists in the World Cup. US President Donald Trump posted on social media thanking FIFA for 'doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,' with multiple reports suggesting he personally called Infantino to request a review.
Rooney's Scathing Criticism on BBC
During BBC's coverage of England's 3-2 win over Mexico, which was delayed by storms, pundit Wayne Rooney delivered a furious response. He recalled his own three-game ban before Euro 2012, which was reduced to two games after he agreed to do a training session with children in Switzerland. Rooney said: 'I thought that was wrong. For this to be suspended, they either take the red card away, which is probably the right decision, and then he can play. But to suspend it for a year? I think it's an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this. The sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If I'm USA's opponent, I'd be absolutely fuming. It's wrong in every way.'
Fellow Pundits Join Criticism
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart commented: 'It doesn't feel right, does it?' Micah Richards added: 'It's an absolute farce. It wasn't a red card. Balogun was trying to protect the ball... To suspend it for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament. All this is to keep the big stars in the competition. America are one of the co-hosts. We all know what it is, FIFA need to do better.' Rooney concluded: 'It might even affect him not missing a World Cup qualifier, so it's not going to affect anything to do with the World Cup. It's been brushed away. When the integrity comes into question for such a big tournament, it's just not good enough.'
