Folarin Balogun, the United States’ top scorer at the World Cup with three goals, was out there on the pitch against Belgium, even after getting a straight red card in their 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Seriously, how did *that* happen? Balogun was fully expected to miss the last-16 tie against Belgium, but apparently, a one-match ban can just vanish.
A Red Card Suspended and a Phone Call Heard ‘Round the World
You’d think a straight red card would mean a one-game suspension, no debate. But after an intervention from US President Donald Trump, Balogun’s one-match ban was suddenly suspended for 12 months. No specific reason was given, just a vague mention of a rule that allows punishments to be suspended. Balogun started the match, which Belgium went on to win 4-1. President Trump later told a news conference on July 6 that he spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He said, “I spoke to Gianni… I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and I understand sports really well, and that wasn’t a foul.” Trump admitted, “Yes, I asked for a review by Fifa.” Infantino, for his part, has maintained that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently. Riiiight.
Norway and Belgium Are NOT Having It
The Norwegian Football Federation is absolutely fuming over this whole situation. NFF president Lise Klaveness said the federation reacted with “strong concern” and is now seriously considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee. This isn’t their first rodeo with FIFA’s ethics, either. The NFF has already complained about FIFA’s first Peace Prize being awarded to President Trump. Klaveness explicitly stated it’s “appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to Fifa’s ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding Fifa’s so-called peace prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year.”
It’s not just Norway. The Royal Belgian Football Federation said it was “deeply concerned by the course of events” and vowed to “fight… in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.” But FIFA just shut them down, ruling Belgium’s request for an explanation “inadmissible,” meaning they had no grounds for appeal. And UEFA, European football’s governing body, dropped a bombshell, saying FIFA’s actions had “crossed a red line” and describing it as “unprecedented.”
The IOC Eyes Infantino
And if that wasn’t enough, reports are swirling that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could also investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020. Section two of the Olympic charter is pretty clear: “Members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.” The IOC isn’t confirming anything publicly yet, stating complaints are confidential, but if sanctions are decided by their ethics commission, they will communicate them.
The big question mark now hangs over the NFF’s next board meeting. That’s when they’ll make the call on whether to formally complain to FIFA’s ethics committee. You gotta believe the eyes of every football fan who values fair play will be locked on that decision. FIFA’s got a lot to answer for, and this story is far from over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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