Trump intervention sparks World Cup storm as FIFA clears Balogun to face Belgium

In an unprecedented move, FIFA has suspended striker Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban for one year, clearing him to play for the United States against Belgium in the World Cup's last-16 match. This decision followed a personal appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

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

The intervention has thrust FIFA's disciplinary processes into the global spotlight and ignited a significant media storm. Pundits and former players are debating whether FIFA upheld justice or compromised its rules by allowing political power to influence a sporting decision. FIFA has not responded to requests for comment regarding the decision or Trump's call.

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USA-USA-USA.

Balogun received a red card for an ankle-high challenge during the U.S. team's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino deemed unfair. FIFA's statement cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, allowing for the suspension of a match ban under a probationary period.

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We found out about it just coming over here. At first, you're like, 'Oh really, is this real?' And then 'Oh, this is great news'.

President Trump celebrated the decision on social media, calling it the correction of "a great injustice." The White House also marked Balogun's reinstatement. U.S. Soccer accepted the ruling, and Balogun's teammates expressed surprise upon learning the news via social media while en route to training. Coach Pochettino welcomed the decision, noting that many in football considered the original punishment unfair.

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I think 99.9 per cent of people in football have said this is an unfair punishment and there's evidence from the past that makes it possible to suspend a punishment and to fulfil it later