Wayne Rooney has launched a blistering attack on FIFA after the governing body suspended a one-match ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun, branding the decision an "absolute disgrace." The former England captain, working as a BBC pundit, accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of bringing shame on football.
Rooney's Outburst on BBC
Speaking on BBC's World Cup coverage, Rooney did not hold back. "I think it's an absolute disgrace, I really do," he said. "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."
Balogun, the USA's leading scorer with three goals, was sent off in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The red card would have ruled him out of the last-16 clash with Belgium, but FIFA announced on Sunday night that the ban was suspended for a year, with no explanation given.
Controversy Over FIFA's Ruling
The decision stunned the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which issued a statement calling it "astonishing." The RBFA noted that the suspension contradicted World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations and Circular No. 16, distributed to all member associations on 12 May 2026. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, the Belgian FA is investigating all potential options," the statement read.
US President Donald Trump thanked FIFA on social media, writing: "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Reports suggest Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review.
Pundits Unite in Criticism
Fellow pundit Joe Hart said, "It doesn't feel right, does it?" Micah Richards added, "It's an absolute farce. 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 also drew parallels to his own experience: "I know it's UEFA but I got a three-game ban before Euro 2012. I was told if I went to Switzerland and did a training session with kids, my third game would be taken off. I agreed, but I thought that was wrong. For this to be suspended—either take the red card away, which is probably the right decision, or let him play. But to suspend it for a year? It's an absolute disgrace."
Impact on Tournament Integrity
Rooney questioned the precedent set by FIFA's move. "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?" Richards echoed the concern: "When the integrity comes into question for such a big tournament, for that to happen, it's just not good enough."
BBC presenter Kelly Cates attempted to downplay the controversy, saying "We don't know what it is," but Rooney countered: "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."
