‘MAGA agenda on display’: FIFA, Trump slammed amid Balogun red card row

FIFA is facing a firestorm of criticism following its controversial decision to overturn a red card suspension for USA forward Folarin Balogun. The reversal came after former US President Donald Trump reportedly urged FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the case, a move that experts say underscores the expanding influence of Trump's "MAGA agenda" on global football governance.

“

Trump’s MAGA [Make America Great Again] agenda is now on full show for the world to see, as is Infantino and FIFA’s pursuit of revenues. There has long been an accident waiting to happen.

Balogun received a red card for stepping on an opponent's ankle during a match, which would have resulted in a one-game suspension for the USA's knockout stage match against Belgium. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that it had suspended the red card, a decision that was met with disbelief and accusations of political interference. FIFA dismissed Belgium's appeal against the reversal on Monday, terming it "inadmissible."

Simon Chadwick, a professor of Afro-Eurasian sport at the Emlyon Business School in Shanghai, told Al Jazeera that the controversy is "not unexpected" given Trump's history of intervening in non-political matters. "Trump's MAGA [Make America Great Again] agenda is now on full show for the world to see, as is Infantino and FIFA's pursuit of revenues," Chadwick stated, adding, "There has long been an accident waiting to happen."

“

They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the decision in a statement, asserting that the world football governing body's judicial committees operate autonomously and make decisions based on regulations and facts. However, he also confirmed that he regularly discusses matters related to the World Cup with heads of state, including President Trump. "Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the president of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state... from around the world on many different issues," Infantino said.

“

Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the president of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders, and business executives from around the world on many different issues.