The White House lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban after the US striker was sent off in the World Cup last-32, the Guardian understands, resulting in Sunday’s stunning announcement that he would be available for the co-hosts’ last-16 tie against Belgium.
Balogun was shown a straight red card for a studs-up tackle on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the US won 2-0. The automatic one-match suspension under Article 10.5 of Fifa’s tournament rules would have ruled him out of Monday’s clash in Seattle.
“White House lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun's ban after red card; Belgian FA 'astonished'”
But Fifa’s disciplinary committee imposed the ban under Articles 14 and 66 of its disciplinary code, then immediately suspended its implementation for a probationary period of one year under Article 27. The governing body said the suspension would be revoked if Balogun commits “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity” within that year.
US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had demanded a review, saying: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by the decision, pointing out that all previous red cards at this World Cup had resulted in automatic suspensions and that Fifa’s move “directly contradicts” competition regulations “explicitly reaffirmed” to all participating nations in May. The RBFA said it was “investigating all potential options”.
US players learned of Balogun’s availability on the bus to training. Defender Chris Richards said: “Some guys are playing Clash Royale, some guys were just in the back listening music, and then think somewhere in between that, we heard all the reports.” Forward Christian Pulisic said Balogun was “super happy” and added: “Just a big smile on his face and all of ours. The foul wasn’t what it was, it was harsh.”
Balogun, who has scored three goals in three starts this tournament, is a key threat as the US seek their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002. Fifa previously used Article 27 to clear Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal’s opening games after a red card against the Republic of Ireland.
A US Soccer spokesperson said the federation was engaged in the process that cleared Balogun. The RBFA warned the decision undermines “the fundamental principles of fair play” and vowed to explore all options to challenge it.