Fifa's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban after a red card has become one of the biggest controversies of the 2026 World Cup. | World News

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

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

The Belgian soccer body said it’s exploring “all potential options” to safeguard the “legitimate rights” of all teams at the World Cup and the principles of “fair play.”

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

In an unprecedented move, FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's red-card ban for the US World Cup match against Belgium, following a personal appeal from President Donald Trump to…

‘In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year’

US striker Folarin Balogun will play against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 after FIFA suspended his one-match ban. Invoking Article 27, FIFA has temporarily put the red…

In its statement, FIFA pointed to "article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code" which allows the suspension to be "suspended for a probationary period of one year."

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…

FIFA's unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban has ignited a fierce debate at the FIFA World Cup 2026, drawing criticism from rival teams and…

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

Sepp Blatter has hit out at the decision to suspend 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.…

July 6 : European soccer body UEFA has lashed out at FIFA's decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban in the World Cup, after U.S. President Donald Trump…

UEFA criticises FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's red-card ban, calling it unprecedented and undermining the integrity of the game.

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UEFA criticizes FIFA's "unprecedented" decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-game ban, allowing the US star to play in the World Cup. Read more on the

"Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following...

UEFA said in a statement that the suspension of Balogun's one-match ban was an "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."