Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank 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 inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFifa President Gianni Infantino clarified a conversation with Donald Trump after Folarin Balogun's red card suspension sparked rumours of political influence. Balogun, a key player for the World Cup 2026 co-hosts, had his straight red card from a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended for a year by the independent Fifa Disciplinary Committee. The committee invoked Article 27 of the disciplinary code, allowing Balogun to play in the upcoming last-16 match against Belgium, a decision that surprised many. Infantino stated that while he regularly discusses World Cup matters with heads of state, he explained to Trump that Balogun's case was an ongoing legal process handled by independent judicial bodies. The decision has raised concerns among European nations, with the Belgian FA considering an appeal and UEFA questioning the integrity of the competition. In fullFifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun banMore 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 reportedly spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the organization suspended a U.S. player's red card.

The White House made a call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to a source.

FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun's red card suspension after President Trump reportedly called FIFA President Infantino, raising major sports governance

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Donald Trump said in a social media post after the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card…

Balogun had been sent off for inadvertently treading on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic in the USA's 2-0 victory on Wednesday.

President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to urge a review of Folarin Balogun's red card before the US star's suspension was reversed.

US President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the World Cup suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, a source familiar with the matter…

FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's suspension after Donald Trump urged a review, allowing him to face Belgium and sparking outrage from Belgian officials.

US President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review and reverse Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card suspension. Read mor

Under FIFA rules, a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban that cannot be appealed.

FIFA has controversially lifted Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension for a red card, allowing the US forward to play against Belgium. The decision, reportedly influenced by a…

SEATTLE (AP):US President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUSA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban,…

July 6 : FIFA suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban on Sunday, clearing him to face Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 clash, after U.S.…

July 6 : FIFA suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban on Sunday, clearing him to face Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 clash after U.S.…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

President Trump called FIFA's Gianni Infantino to reverse Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card suspension, the first such reversal since 1962.

US President Donald Trump's phone call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to have the red card for the co-hosts star striker Folarin Balogun reviewed is the latest instance of…

Global body suspends player’s one-match ban after Trump asks Infantino to review sending-off, says source

WASHINGTON, July 6 : President Donald Trump on Monday said FIFA's move to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban at the World Cup was a "brilliant decision" after he…