Trump sought FIFA review as Balogun ban lift roils US-Belgium tie
What's next: Belgium has challenged Folarin Balogun's eligibility, but FIFA ruled its federation lacks standing to appeal.
President Donald Trump said he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension, after the governing body cleared the United States striker to face Belgium in the round of 16. Balogun had been sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic, but FIFA suspended the automatic ban for 12 months. Trump said he spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino because he did not think the play was a foul, while Infantino said the case remained with FIFA's independent judicial bodies. UEFA condemned the move as a blow to the competition's integrity, and the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was astonished. FIFA then rejected Belgium's appeal, ruling the federation was not a party to the original case.