{"id":2770,"date":"2026-07-05T21:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T21:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=2770"},"modified":"2026-07-05T21:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T21:42:08","slug":"soccer-fifa-makes-u-turn-to-clear-balogun-for-us-v-belgium-world-cup-clash-following-call-from-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=2770","title":{"rendered":"Soccer-FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US v Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"<article><!-- --><!-- --><!-- WPS-5038 -- removed the script from WPS and added the placeholder for trinity player --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- CONTENT --><!--[--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>MIAMI\/SEATTLE &#8211; United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday in an unprecedented move following a call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=2768\">Busy July 4 weekend for Columbia firefighters who battle flames and searing heat<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win over Bosnia but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino saying it was never a red card offence.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Trump called Infantino to ask world soccer&#8217;s governing body to review the sending-off, according to a source briefed on the call.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>FIFA is allowing Balogun to play without rescinding the red card.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;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,&#8221; FIFA said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The judicial body has the discretion to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment on Trump&#8217;s call with Infantino.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8216;A GREAT INJUSTICE&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,&#8221; Trump wrote on Truth Social while the White House celebrated Balogun&#8217;s reinstatement in the squad with a post on X saying: &#8220;USA-USA-USA.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>U.S. Soccer accepted the decision while Balogun&#8217;s teammates said they only found out via social media on their way to training ahead of Monday&#8217;s game in Seattle.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We found out about it just coming over here,&#8221; American forward Christian Pulisic told reporters.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At first, you&#8217;re like, &#8216;Oh really, is this real?&#8217; And then &#8216;Oh, this is great news&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=2766\">Thunderstorms with damaging winds in South Carolina Sunday \u2013 gusts up to 60 mph<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>BELGIUM &#8216;ASTONISHED&#8217; BY FIFA DECISION<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was &#8220;astonished&#8221; by FIFA&#8217;s decision to declare Balogun eligible to play in the match, pointing to the rule book while it investigated all potential options.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction,&#8221; the RBFA said.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team&#8217;s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>It said the decision was in direct contradiction with the provisions of the tournament&#8217;s Regulations.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As set out in Article 10.5: &#8216;If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team&#8217;s subsequent match,'&#8221; the RBFA added.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was able to play his side&#8217;s opening World Cup matches after FIFA suspended the final two games of a three-match ban last year when he was sent off in their penultimate qualifying match against Ireland.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was handed a five-match ban after receiving a red card for a tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during a group match at the tournament.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>In 1962, Brazil great Garrincha was sent off in the semi-final but he was cleared to play in the final after a successful appeal backed by Chilean fans and President Jorge Alessandri, helping his side beat Czechoslovakia 3-1.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Miami, Steve Holland in Washington and Sam Tobin in Seattle; Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=2764\">Delta flight hit by firework during Chicago landing<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><!--]--><!--[--><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p><i> Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--]--><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MIAMI\/SEATTLE &#8211; United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday in an unprecedented move following a call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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