Sepp Blatter has questioned FIFA's decision to suspend a one-match ban on US forward Folarin Balogun, following reports that President Donald Trump personally telephoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to intervene. The former FIFA president took to X on Monday to accuse the governing body of allowing political interference in football.
Blatter's Criticism of Infantino and Trump
Blatter wrote: 'Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President - and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match - the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?' Quo vadis means 'Where are you going?' in Latin. He added: 'Football must never become a playground for political power. #FIFA #WorldCup #GianniInfantino #DonaldTrump'.
The Balogun Red Card Incident
Balogun received a red card during the US's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, having scored the opening goal. He is the only American player to have scored more than once at this tournament, also bagging a brace in the opening fixture against Paraguay. The suspension would have ruled him out of the round-of-16 clash against Belgium.
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee Ruling
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that the automatic match suspension for Balogun had been suspended for a probationary period of one year, citing Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The committee stated: 'By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) 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 Response
Trump took to Truth Social to respond to the U-turn, declaring: 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!' Reports suggest Trump personally called Infantino to lobby for Balogun's reinstatement, though FIFA has not confirmed the call.
Article 27 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code
Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code states: 'The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.'
