Trump admits asking FIFA to review Balogun ban as suspension row deepens

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that he personally asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, adding fresh controversy to one of the tournament’s most fiercely debated disciplinary decisions.

Trump revealed he spoke directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino after United States striker Balogun was sent off during his country’s previous World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The AS Monaco forward had initially been due to miss the Americans’ last-16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemović.

However, FIFA subsequently suspended the automatic one-match ban for a probationary period of 12 months, clearing Balogun to face Belgium in Seattle.

The decision has sparked criticism from several quarters, including UEFA, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and England head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he believed the dismissal should never have stood and confirmed he had contacted Infantino to request a review.

“I think it would have left a big stain,” Trump said.

“I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”

Trump also insisted he had not pressured FIFA to overturn the suspension, saying he merely requested that the incident be reviewed because he “didn’t think it was a foul.”

The US President went further by criticising Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, describing the decision to send off Balogun as “horrible” and suggesting the official was “a little bit suspect.”

The comments prompted a swift response from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which defended Claus’ professionalism.

“There is nothing in his record that discredits him or gives grounds for any suspicion. He is an exemplary professional,” the CBF said.

Infantino later disclosed that when Trump contacted him, he explained that the matter was being handled through FIFA’s independent judicial process.

Writing on X, the FIFA president said he informed Trump that “there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies.”

After the disciplinary ruling was announced, Infantino reiterated that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently and that their decisions must be respected.

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree,” he said.

“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant.”

“Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

Belgium attempted to challenge the decision but its appeal was rejected.

FIFA’s Appeal Committee ruled that the Belgian Football Association had no legal standing because it was not a party to the original disciplinary proceedings and was simply the United States’ next opponent.

“The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the Belgian FA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” FIFA said.

With no eligible party able to challenge the ruling, Balogun remains available for selection against Belgium.

Earlier this week, the RBFA said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and warned it would continue fighting to defend what it described as the principles of ethics and fair competition.

UEFA also voiced concern, arguing that intervening to effectively remove a World Cup suspension had “crossed a red line” and risked undermining the integrity of football.

England manager Thomas Tuchel questioned the precedent the ruling could create after seeing defender Jarell Quansah sent off during England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico.

“Where to draw the line is the question that I ask,” Tuchel said.

“I have no answer to that.

“Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end?”

FIFA relied on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows disciplinary measures to be partially suspended, when it placed Balogun’s one-match ban under a one-year probationary period.

However, football’s governing body has not provided a detailed explanation for why it chose to apply the provision in Balogun’s case.

The ruling is highly unusual. Of the 189 previous red cards issued at FIFA World Cups, only one player has avoided suspension.

That exception came in 1962 when Brazil’s Garrincha escaped punishment before automatic suspension rules were introduced, a case that has long been associated with allegations of political interference.

Balogun, who has scored three goals at this year’s tournament, is now eligible to feature as the United States seek a place in the World Cup quarter-finals against Belgium.