FIFA suspended two U.S. Soccer officials ahead of Monday night’s 4–1 loss to Belgium in Seattle, quietly announcing the bans on its website.
The officials were team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer vice president of security Frank Pannell.
The exact reason why Zapatka and Pannell were suspended isn’t clear, though it may be related to FIFA’s controversial handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card.
A spokesperson for U.S. Soccer acknowledged the suspensions but declined to comment on them, directing questions to FIFA, which did not comment.
FIFA released three separate “disciplinary previews” for Monday’s games. The first included Balogun’s suspension, the second listed only players and coaches who had yellow cards but not Balogun, and the third listed Zapatka and Pannell.
