US President Donald Trump has thanked FIFA for making the “right” decision and suspending USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s red card.

Balogun received his marching orders in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round 32 of the World Cup. He unintentionally stood on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf, prompting VAR to advise Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to review the incident.

Claus showed Balogun a red card, to the outrage of American supporters and manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Arsenal striker had been set to miss his nation’s last 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday (July 7th), but FIFA have reversed the decision.

Trump Thanks FIFA for Suspending Balogun Red Card

Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Pool/Sipa USA

FIFA have opted to hand Balogun a suspended one-game ban under Article 27. It means the American forward is free to play against Belgium at Seattle Stadium in Washington.

GIVEMESPORT sources understand the White House had made a direct call to FIFA and asked them to review Balogun’s red card. Trump has now reacted to the player’s one-game ban being suspended with a post on Truth Social:

Balogun’s sending off has been shrouded in controversy, as some argue it was unjustified. Pochettino didn’t think his striker’s challenge warranted a red card.

Others made comparisons to Lionel Messi’s challenge in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the World Cup group stages. The Argentine forward didn’t even receive a booking for a foul a VAR expert believes was “even worse” than Balogun’s.

White House ‘Didn’t Influence’ FIFA Decision

Carlos Barria via Action Images via Reuters

FIFA sources have insisted that White House influence can’t affect decisions because of the powers contained in Article 27. This article of the Disciplinary Code says that a “judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacted to the red card and claimed that the USA “got screwed.” He suggested that an “appeal process” was required but believed it was too late for that.

This isn’t the first time FIFA have used Article 27, as they cleared Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s opening World Cup games. The former Manchester United star was sent off in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in November.

Balogun will now be available for the World Cup co-hosts against Belgium, and it’s a much-needed boost for Pochettino. The AS Monaco frontman is his nation’s top scorer with three goals in as many games, including one in the win over Bosnia.

Fox Sports pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic named a World Cup legend as the greatest footballer ever – but his choice was not reigning champion Lionel Messi.

The former Sweden star only ever made five appearances in international football’s most illustrious competition, despite being considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, but has chosen one of the most dominant individuals in World Cup history as soccer’s ultimate GOAT.

Messi, who lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is widely considered to be the greatest footballer in the sport’s history, but Ibra holds an alternative point of view.

During an interview with beIN Sports in 2021, Ibrahimovic stated that two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario was his pick for the best player the sport has ever seen, with the 43-year-old even describing the Brazilian as the embodiment of football.

‘R9’ won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, while he also reached the final in 1998. Overall, from 19 World Cup appearances he scored 15 goals, provided five assists and won 16 games.

It’s possible that Ibrahimovic’s view may have changed since 2021, considering Messi won the only accolade that was missing from his career honours list when Argentina lifted the World Cup crown four years ago.

But there is a reason Ronaldo is monikered as ‘O Fenomeno’ (The Phenomenon), and Zlatan appeared certain in his view that R9, rather than Messi, personified football itself.

Ronaldo Nazario and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Compared

There are, interestingly, a number of similarities between the careers of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. Both players first made their name in European football in the Netherlands, with Ronaldo doing so at PSV and Ibrahimovic at Ajax. They also later represented three of the same clubs – Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan.

When it comes to trophies, both are counted among the best players to have never lifted the Champions League. However, it was Ibrahimovic who ended his career with the greater haul of team honours, winning 32 in total compared with Ronaldo’s 16.

Sadly, the two never got the opportunity to play together. Ronaldo departed AC Milan two years before Ibrahimovic arrived at the red and black side of the city.

The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask them to review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban ahead of the USA’s clash with Belgium, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after he stumbled and stood on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic, ruling him out of the Last 16 clash with an automatic one-game suspension.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino was furious at the decision, which the referee made after being sent to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR, but it was confirmed that the USA could not appeal Balogun’s suspension due to competition rules.

However, it was announced on Sunday afternoon (5th July) that Balogun would now be available to feature in the game after FIFA opted to suspend his suspension, instead handing him a one-year probationary period.

Sources: White House Called FIFA Over Balogun Ban

Evelyn Hockstein via Reuters

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that decision came after The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s sending off and subsequent suspension.

FIFA were approached for comment and referred to the findings of its independent committee. FIFA sources insist that White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.

The decision means that Balogun will now be available to lead the line for his nation in the Round of 16 on Monday night, having been in spectacular form throughout the tournament.

The Monaco star, who came through the Hale End academy at Arsenal, is the USMNT’s top scorer in the tournament, having scored four times. He has registered at least one goal contribution in all three of his starts at the competition, having been rested for the final group game against Turkey on match day 3.