Trump, FIFA actions around Folarin Balogun suspension puts World Cup integrity in question

FIFA’s decision around U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension put World Cup integrity in question amid criticism from European football authorities. FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged he took a call from President Donald Trump before Balogun was cleared to play Belgium later Monday. Balogun had been issued a red card in the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, initially triggering a ban for the Belgium game. FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday after Trump called Infantino to urge a review of the red-card call. Belgium’s federation challenged FIFA’s ruling not to impose a ban, and UEFA described the outcome as an “incomprehensible” breach of soccer’s rule of law. In a highly time-sensitive process, a FIFA appeals judge dismissed Belgium’s legal challenge fewer than eight hours before kickoff in Seattle, where the Round of 16 place was at stake. FIFA said Belgium lacked standing because it was “not a party” to proceedings.