Trump sought Balogun review after red card, FIFA cleared him to face Belgium
Why it matters: Belgium’s federation says it contests Balogun’s eligibility, while UEFA warned the move put football’s integrity at stake.
President Donald Trump said he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s one-match World Cup suspension, and the governing body then suspended the ban for 12 months, making the United States striker available for the last-16 match against Belgium in Seattle. Balogun, 25, had been due to miss the game after a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. Trump said he told FIFA president Gianni Infantino he did not think it was a foul. FIFA said its independent judicial bodies handled the case. The Royal Belgian Football Association called the ruling astonishing and said it contests Balogun’s eligibility after its appeal was dismissed.