Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has publicly thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” after Folarin Balogun’s red card ban was overturned.
The soccer governing body reversed USMNT forward Balogun’s one-game ban with a sensational announcement on Sunday.
Balogun was handed the ban after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this week.
The 25-year-old had caught the leg of defender Tarik Muharemovic with his studs in the 64th minute.
He subsequently received a red card following a VAR check. Balogun was handed a one-game ban for the dismissal as per Fifa rules.
But that has now been suspended in a World Cup first. It means that he can now serve it at a later date —not necessarily at this tournament.
President Trump was thrilled about the news and shared a post on Truth Social— a social media site created by his own company.
He wrote: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
According to football reporter Ben Jacobs, the White House made a direct call to Fifa to ask Gianni Infantino to review the red card.
But Fifa sources insist White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.
Article 27 of Fifa’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
It adds that “the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
The USA had been unable to appeal the controversial decision before the shock U-turn.
However, the development means that Balogun WILL be able to play in the last-16 match against Belgium on Monday.
After being sent off against Bosnia, the striker insisted the contact on Muharemovic was unintentional.
He also believed it was a yellow card at worst.Balogun said: “If you played the game, you would understand there’s scenarios that you simply can’t avoid and it has to be taken into context when it’s being reviewed.
“I felt it wasn’t on this occasion, but I think as you all saw, there’s nowhere else to put your leg, it’s going to be unavoidable.
“So yeah, I’ve seen many different opinions and takes, but for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair.”
In response to the Fifa U-turn, a statement from US Soccer read:
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.
“Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.” — Sun.
