Two football officials representing the United States men's national team were banned following Monday's humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium, though the news was largely eclipsed by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun. The USA were eliminated from the World Cup after a devastating loss, with Balogun controversially allowed to feature on the pitch.
Bans Issued Amidst Balogun Controversy
FIFA quietly published suspensions on its website involving US team manager Sam Zapatka and US Soccer vice president of security Frank Pannell. Both individuals were handed bans, but FIFA provided no explanation as to what triggered the sanctions. Speculation suggests the bans could be connected to Balogun's red card and his contentious reinstatement, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
The controversy dominated headlines in the build-up to the round of 16 clash. Balogun was shown a straight red card against Bosnia, which would have seen him ruled out of the last-16 fixture. However, FIFA chose to defer his one-match ban until after the World Cup, rendering him eligible for selection. The decision left supporters across the globe bewildered.
Trump and Rooney React
The situation intensified when former US President Donald Trump praised FIFA's ruling from the Oval Office and confirmed he had been in direct contact with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Belgium hit back by warning the USA against naming Balogun in their starting line-up.
Wayne Rooney also tore into FIFA's decision, labeling it "an absolute disgrace" and insisting that Infantino ought to be ashamed of himself. 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?"
Match Outcome and Aftermath
Balogun started the match but failed to leave his mark, registering the fewest touches of any player during the opening 45 minutes. USA manager Mauricio Pochettino was pleased to have Balogun at his disposal, yet the host nation still crashed out. The devastating defeat was watched by a record television audience, with FOX Sports confirming it was the most-watched football broadcast in US history, attracting 30 million viewers.
Despite cruising to victory, Belgium couldn't resist twisting the knife on social media. Posting a photo carousel of Romelu Lukaku netting his side's fourth goal, the Red Devils cheekily captioned it, "Overturn this." Nevertheless, Belgium bore no grudge towards Balogun personally. With their quarter-final place secured, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia disclosed that he had spoken with Balogun, making clear that the animosity was never aimed at the player himself. Garcia revealed: "He [Balogun] came to talk to me. I really liked that. It's not his fault, he's not the one to blame, I told him that. I appreciate the intention of him speaking to me."
