Audio By Carbonatix
U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier this week to ask the soccer governing body to review a red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, according to a source briefed on the call.
FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun would be eligible to play for the U.S. in Monday's knockout game against Belgium, a rare reversal of the prior one-game suspension he was facing after receiving a red card against Bosnia. Trump praised the decision, writing on Truth Social that it had reversed a "great injustice."
Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by FIFA.
The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0.
FIFA said that the automatic one-match ban will be suspended for a year.
"In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," it said in a statement.
"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."
US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for "reversing a great injustice" in a post on Truth Social.
Trump, a friend of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, wrote: "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who had demanded the decision to be reviewed.
Asked about the USA's World Cup performance during a news conference, Rubio said: "It was great. They got screwed with that red card.
"There needs to be an appeal process for that. It's probably too late for that."
Balogun has been a key figure for the US at the World Cup, scoring twice for Mauricio Pochettino's side as they began their campaign with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.
The former Arsenal forward also opened the scoring against Bosnia before getting sent off in the 64th minute after a tussle with Muharemovic for a looping ball.
As Balogun attempted to shield the ball, Muharemovic managed to get in front of him, and as the forward's boot returned to the ground, it landed on the back of the Bosnian's ankle, causing it to twist.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus brandished the red card after he was sent to the pitchside monitor to watch a super slow-motion replay of the incident by the video assistant referee (VAR).
According to FIFA regulations, a red card "automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match" but the governing body "may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures".
During the group stages of the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his one-match suspension increased to five matches for his foul on Canada's Ismael Kone, who was left with a broken leg.
Latest Stories
-
Mr President, Ghana was mentioned at the UN; why aren’t we talking about it?
2 hours -
Accra to convene Africa’s regulators and markets on tokenisation at AVAS 2026
2 hours -
The Paradox of Plenty — When every smartphone becomes a newsroom
2 hours -
GTA sensitises taxi drivers in ‘Know Ghana’ tourism campaign
4 hours -
Archbishop Agyinasare calls for responsible speech amid growing social media abuse
4 hours -
‘It will be inexcusable for gov’t not to honour payment of teachers’ arrears by 30th October’ – Haruna Iddrisu
4 hours -
Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026: No Ghanaian firm ranked among 900 companies
4 hours -
Electronic processing of teachers’ data: ‘The decision is the Controller’s’ – GES boss
4 hours -
Teachers’ Strike: Haruna Iddrisu questions paper-based processing of promoted teachers’ data
4 hours -
Savannah Region: Kunfusi bridge collapses again, leaving nearly 4,000 residents cut off
4 hours -
Teachers’ strike: GES targets Monday deadline to submit promotion data to Controller
4 hours -
Inflation to average 11.3% in 2027 – Fitch Solutions
5 hours -
‘I didn’t campaign for NDC to come and do this nonsense’ – Kpebu on EOCO’s conduct
5 hours -
Fitch Solutions maintains policy rate forecast of 14% by December 2026
5 hours -
Diaspora Nasara Caucus congratulates Mohammed Ali Suraj, new NPP executives
6 hours