FIFA President faces allegations of U.S. favoritism

FIFA President faces allegations of U.S. favoritism centers on controversy tied to a phone call involving Donald Trump and FIFA head Gianni Infantino. After the United States’ 4-1 loss to Belgium, debate returned to a July World Cup incident: the U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a red card on July 1 for an illegal tackle during a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and was automatically suspended for one match. FIFA postponed the suspension on July 5, citing “Article 27” of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and placing the suspension on probation for one year, allowing Balogun to play in the knockout round. Trump praised the decision on Truth Social. European lawmakers and human rights activists are now urging ethics investigations, with Belgium’s football association also studying options to protect fair play. The case followed U.S. Soccer’s appeal to FIFA, reported by POLITICO.