USA striker Folarin Balogun has been flooded with messages of support after issuing a grovelling apology following the team's World Cup exit, amid controversy over FIFA's decision to suspend his red card ban.
Red Card and FIFA Suspension
The 25-year-old Monaco forward was shown a straight red card for landing on the back of Tarik Muharemovic's leg with his studs during the USA's round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under normal circumstances, Balogun would have been suspended for the round of 16 clash with Belgium. However, FIFA made the unusual decision to suspend his ban for a year, allowing him to play.
It emerged that the White House had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to demand an immediate review of the card. A disciplinary committee opted to defer the ban until the following summer. US President Donald Trump thanked world football for reversing what he called an "injustice," but the move drew widespread criticism.
Criticism from Wayne Rooney
Former England captain Wayne Rooney called the decision "an absolute disgrace" and said Infantino "should be ashamed." Rooney said: "I know it's UEFA but I got a three-game ban before Euro 2012. I was due to miss the three group games and I got told if I went over to Switzerland and did a training session with a bunch of kids, my third game would get taken off. I agreed to do it because I didn't want a three-game ban but 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. If you're an England player tonight or a Mexican player, and you get a red card, do you expect to be playing the next game? Where does it stop?"
USA Eliminated by Belgium
Despite Balogun's participation, Belgium defeated the USA 4-1 in Seattle to advance to the quarter-finals, eliminating the co-hosts. Balogun took to social media to apologize to fans, writing: "My debut World Cup...It hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down."
He added: "Soccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the passion is continually growing and I know the best days are in front of us, the future belongs to those who never stop believing, this moment will fuel us. We will be back. Why not us? For the nation. For the flag."
Outpouring of Support
Fans and peers quickly rallied behind Balogun. Former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore wrote: "Why not us?" while Franklin Andrés Camargo Armas added: "What a star." One fan said: "Only player alongside Dest to actually apologize to the fans btw, thank you Balogun, this is why ur the goat." Another commented: "You are changing soccer for kids of America! My son has your jersey! THANK YOU!"
FOX's lead tournament host Rebecca Lowe told Balogun: "The best days are yet to come but these were still some GREAT days."
Looking Ahead
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the USA must wait another four years for another chance at World Cup glory.
