Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUSA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, incurred after receiving a red card during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, was controversially suspended by Fifa’s disciplinary committee. Reports from the New York Times and Associated Press indicate that Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's red card decision. Fifa’s decision, based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allows Balogun to play, with the suspension only taking effect if he commits another similar offense within a year. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed "astonishment" at FIFA's ruling, arguing it contradicts the organization's own regulations which state a red card automatically results in a suspension for the next match. Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, while US Soccer and Balogun's coach welcomed the reinstatement, allowing the player to participate in the upcoming match. In fullDonald Trump called Gianni Infantino before Fifa’s stunning decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban, report saysMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Trump ‘spoke with Fifa president’ before Balogun’s ban was controversially suspended
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUSA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, incurred after receiving a red card during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, was controversially suspended by Fifa’s disciplinary committee. Reports from the New York Times and Associated Press indicate that Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's red card decision. Fifa’s decision, based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allows Balogun to play, with the suspension only taking effect if he commits another similar offense within a year. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed "astonishment" at FIFA's ruling, arguing it contradicts the organization's own regulations which state a red card automatically results in a suspension for the next match. Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, while US Soccer and Balogun's coach welcomed the reinstatement, allowing the player to participate in the upcoming match. In fullDonald Trump called Gianni Infantino before Fifa’s stunning decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban, report saysMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
