FIFA wrong to suspend USA player's ban, says Glenn Micallef

FIFA’s decision to suspend and then reinstate a one-match ban for a USA player has triggered criticism over political influence in sport. The forward Folarin Balogun was initially set to miss the World Cup last-16 against Belgium after a straight red card following video review for stepping on a Bosnian defender in the USA’s 2-0 win in the round of 32. FIFA later cleared Balogun to play after a personal phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, disclosed Sunday. Glenn Micallef said on X that the move was the wrong decision, arguing sporting rules should be handled by sporting bodies, not politicians. UEFA also condemned FIFA, saying it “crossed a red line” by suspending the automatic one-match ban on a probationary basis for a year.