The furore over Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card continues.
FIFA dropped a bombshell 24 hours ago by announcing Folarin Balogun will not be suspended after his World Cup red card.
It leaves Balogun available to play in the Round of 16 clash against Belgium, much to the incredulity of the Belgian FA and the nation’s media.
Balogun had been shown a red card in the Round of 32 clash between USA and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The striker is USA’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals, and his availability is a major boost to the USMNT.
However, the country Balogun was shown a red card against, are not as impressed as the American public.
FIFA have suspended Folarin Balogun's red card ban for one year, meaning he will be available for USA vs Belgium! 😯 What's your reaction to the decision?
USA interference scrutinized
There has been a major backlash to the decision, with US President Donald Trump confirming he spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Now a Bosnian Football account on X has suggested the USA should be disqualified from the World Cup.
The unofficial account is titled @BosniaNTBall has 19,000 followers and covers the country’s national team.
The account cited FIFA’s own rules, posting: “Whether it is or isn’t a red to Balogun is now irrelevant. Government interference is a violation of FIFA Article 2 & 15, and the punishment is disqualification and suspension.”
What are FIFA Articles 2 and 15?
From FIFA’s own guidance, Article 2 is to ‘promote football globally and ensure its integrity’.
Article 15 is specific about Government interference, adding: “Stakeholders [must] agree to respect the Laws of the Game, fair play, and the ethics and disciplinary regulations of FIFA.”
Backlash against Trump interference
There is little chance of the USMNT actually being suspended over this matter. But the demand from the Bosnian account highlights the strength of feelings over this matter.
Even shamed former FIFA president Sepp Blatter came out and blasted the governing body over the decision.
European governing body UEFA also tore into FIFA with a strongly worded statement.
Meanwhile, there is a game on. USA vs Belgium promises to be unmissable.
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