Trump's call prompts FIFA to lift Balogun ban amid criticism
U. S. President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of striker Folarin Balogun's World Cup red-card suspension, and FIFA subsequently acted. FIFA disciplinary committee chairman Mohammad al-Kamali then waived the one-match ban without consulting the rest of the committee, Yahoo Sports reported. UEFA criticised the unilateral move and Belgium's appeal was rejected, the same source said.
NBC Sports noted that the reversal followed Trump's call and was handled solely by al-Kamali, prompting calls for reform of FIFA's disciplinary process. Balogun later told The New York Times that the overturned red card added pressure and tension within the U. S. squad ahead of their round-of-16 match. The United States subsequently lost 4-1 to Belgium, a result the team cited as being distracted by the controversy, Yahoo Sports added.
