Trump intervention causes World Cup storm as FIFA clears US striker Balogun to face Belgium

FIFA has suspended the one-year probationary ban for U.S. World Cup striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the upcoming match against Belgium. The decision came after an extraordinary personal intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the striker's red card.

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Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice.

Balogun received a red card for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the U.S. team's 2-0 victory. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino argued it was not a red-card offense. Trump publicly thanked FIFA for reversing what he called "a great injustice."

The move has thrust FIFA's disciplinary procedures into the global spotlight, sparking an angry response from Belgium, the U.S. team's next opponent. Pundits and former players are debating whether FIFA upheld justice or compromised its own rules. FIFA has not responded to Reuters requests for comment on the decision or Trump's call with Infantino.

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In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.

FIFA stated that the suspension of the match ban is for a probationary period, and if Balogun commits a similar offense within a year, the original sanction will be enforced. The judicial body has the discretion to suspend sanctions. U.S. Soccer has accepted the decision, and Balogun's teammates learned of the news on their way to training.

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99.9% of people in football saw it as unfair punishment