White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card - Sports

White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card - Sports - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Entertainment › Sports › White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card (9721 Views)

1 2 3 Reply (Go Down)

White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by BlackViper(op): 8:45pm On Jul 05

Folarin Balogun set to play for USA in World Cup last 16 as White House direct call helps overturn red card

Folarin Balogun will be available to play for the United States in their World Cup clash against Belgium after the White House helped overturn his red card, talkSPORT understands.

The striker was due to miss the last 16 fixture on July 6 (1am UK time on July 7) after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Folarin Balogun 20 of the United States reacts to receiving a red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic 4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

Balogun was dismissed during the second half of the 2-0 victory for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic.

Even though it did not appear to be intentional, it looked ugly in replays and he was shown a straight red.

It's understood that Balogun can play against Belgium as he has been given a suspended one-match ban.

FIFA sources insisted that US Soccer had no appeal, and sources say they did not attempt one as a result.

However, Balogun looks set to return in what will be a massive boost for the World Cup co-hosts.

talkSPORT understands the White House put pressure on FIFA to review the decision, and made a direct call to ask their president Gianni Infantino to review the red card.

FIFA sources insist White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.

President Donald Trump also posted on Truth Social, saying: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, a reversing a great injustice!"

A statement from US Soccer said: "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.

"Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.

FIFA said: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanction on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina played on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium:

"One-match suspension for breaches of articles 14 and 66 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).

"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.

"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
Belgian FA astonished

The Belgian FA have reacted to the news and expressed their shock.

In statement, they said: "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

"FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

"However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:

"If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."

"The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

"The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

As one of the three co-hosts, the United States hoped to make a statement at the World Cup this summer.

They did just that in their opening 4-1 win over Paraguay, before a 2-0 win against Australia sent them into the last 32.

Only a late 3-2 defeat to Turkey could spoil their run of form.

Mauricio Pochettino's side then showed their class against Bosnia and Herzegovina to confirm their last 16 status.

A win against Belgium in Seattle would send them into the quarter-finals for just the second time ever.

The winners of Portugal v Spain will meet them there if so.

https://talksport.com/football/world-cup/4391854/folarin-balogun-united-states-belgium-red-card-suspended-world-cup/

3 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Sunflawa(m): 11:31am On Jul 06

Tit for tat.. Messi did the same but wasn't giving a red card

25 Likes 2 Shares

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by notaveragejoe: 11:32am On Jul 06

Has Trump handwriting all over
He even posted about it on IG that he wants the guy to play.
If you are powerful rules won’t apply to you
God bless the USA

49 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Rhftg: 11:32am On Jul 06

Pure corruption. But, power na power no matter what cheesy

10 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by EmmyMaestro(m): 11:32am On Jul 06

What is good for Messi is good for Balogun

42 Likes 1 Share

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Efuaye(m): 11:33am On Jul 06

Power pass power! I
knew that FIFA would find a way around that red card because it involved an American player.

18 Likes 1 Share

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by decub: 11:33am On Jul 06

BlackViper:
https://talksport.com/football/world-cup/4391854/folarin-balogun-united-states-belgium-red-card-suspended-world-cup/

That's US for you. You can't play on their home soil and won't bow to their pressure.

12 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by geoworldedu: 11:33am On Jul 06

FIFA started showing how easily influenced and hydra-headed they can be from the time they edited out Bruno Fernandez and put C.Ronaldo in their cover.

Next, they removed Cristiano Ronaldo's match ban and allowed him play the first match of the world cup.

Now this too. undecided

But wait first, was that the actual origin of their double standard? No, it actually started when they bowed to political pressure, seeing to it that Russia did not participate in footballing activities around the globe.

They have politicised football 100% and CAF is learning from them.

25 Likes 1 Share

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Godblessme1: 11:33am On Jul 06

God bless America

God destroy APC government

14 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by puremaker7(m): 11:33am On Jul 06

Trump dey always flex muscle everywhere grin

4 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Tooreda: 11:33am On Jul 06

That’s what power is all about. If you are not satisfied, you can “go to court.”

10 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by PDPdestroyer(m): 11:33am On Jul 06

Take a look at the foul a second time and be judge. With the powerdrunk man in the oval office, the US will bully its way to the final and threaten to invade whichever country it plays in the final, if they don’t lay down their gauntlet and allow the US team steamroll its way to the trophy

16 Likes 2 Shares

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Amovingman: 11:33am On Jul 06

If to say na osimhen then give red card and tinubu overturn it

Peter Obi, ogolemati and his supporter wont allow us to rest on nairaland

12 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by nairalanda1(m): 11:34am On Jul 06

FIFA has always been corrupt, for a very long time,and this is just the latest manifestation

Anyway, Belgium will beat USA, even with Balogun in the US side.

Also, to be fair, a case can be made that the foul was not deliberate. I don't think Balogun knew that his legs would land where they did and if he wanted to change things, it would require him to think fast in micromilliseconds , which is not possible. Still it looked brutal, and the ref had to give the card.

1 Like

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by WorkTheTalk(m): 11:34am On Jul 06*

Amovingman:
If to say na osimhen then give red card and tinubu overturn it
Peter Obi, ogolemati and his supporter wont allow us to rest on nairaland

You sound incongruence just to mention Peter Obi. Now that you have mentioned him, you won't be hungry again till tomorrow morning.

America is a world power who cares about its citizens.

In another news, a so-called giant of Africa is currently in a back-and-forth banter with South Africa, while its citizens are being killed.

9 Likes 2 Shares

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by 99thEnemy(m): 11:35am On Jul 06*

PDPdestroyer:
Look at the foul a second time and be judge

The stepping on the opponents foot doesn't look intentional to me.
The shirt grabbing (which is a reflex among many players) is a foul that looks freekick wordy, but not grave enough for a card.

4 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Flangelo12: 11:36am On Jul 06

Infantino must go.

angry

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

5 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by 86scorpion: 11:36am On Jul 06

FIFA under Infant-tino is becoming spineless.

3 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by TOPCRUISE(m): 11:36am On Jul 06

Sunflawa:
Tit for tat.. Messi did the same but wasn't giving a red card

Was Messi foul against the US. And because that was ignored should the US enjoy the advantage and every opposing player suffer for it

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Reference(m): 11:36am On Jul 06

FIFA has lost respect. Now seen as a political pawn.
They either get rid of Infantino and his team or set themselves up for future litigation and rancour.

Now everyone will stand against disciplinary measures and every government will interfere in not only FIFA itself but in their various country's football federations.

CAF will be laughing their heads off at their own criticism for pushing a pro Morocco agenda at the last AFCON.

7 Likes 2 Shares

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by tetralogyfallot(m): 11:36am On Jul 06

This is very bad for football community. What happens on the football pitch stays on the football pitch and not motivated politically.

9 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Gotocourt: 11:37am On Jul 06

America no b anybody mate. Rules are meant to be broken.

1 Like

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by YesDaddyTill203: 11:37am On Jul 06

He's the most important player for the US at this World Cup so far.

The Red card should not have been given, but it only goes to prove that Trump is nothing but a dictator

FIFA is a complete disgrace for this and other actions at this World Cup.
FIFA has banned countries for political interference, and now you are allowing a dictator to dictate so many things in this World Cup.
Sad and pathetic.

6 Likes 3 Shares

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by nairalanda1(m): 11:37am On Jul 06

99thEnemy:
Doesn't look intentional to me.

It wasn't intentional, but it does look brutal, and FIFA has been taking a hard line on rough play since the early 1990's...because it does have long term effect on players.

2 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Austriaopen(m): 11:38am On Jul 06

If it's an African team na,this wouldn't be possible.

4 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Eleph(m): 11:38am On Jul 06

Balogun's inclusion might even spell doom for the United States team.

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by qtx(m): 11:39am On Jul 06

BlackViper:
https://talksport.com/football/world-cup/4391854/folarin-balogun-united-states-belgium-red-card-suspended-world-cup/

The question is, if Balogun was playing for Russia or China, would this FIFA decision still have been taken? Some countries are just too powerful to be ignored, even as mighty as FIFA is.

1 Like

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Reference(m): 11:39am On Jul 06

Flangelo12:
Infantino must go.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You can bet UEFA will drag his arse over hot coals.
Ceferin has never hid his dislike for Infantino. They have immediately jumped on this case.

1 Like

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by TOPCRUISE(m): 11:39am On Jul 06

99thEnemy:
Doesn't look intentional to me.

So until it's intentional that is when the red card is deserving. huh

5 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Otunski: 11:39am On Jul 06

Just imagine what we are witnessing before our very eyes. Football is gone my brothers. A time will cup matches results will be predetermined. This is too bad. FIFA is doing badly and if care is not taken, World Cup will loose its steam and excitement as football enthusiasts will boycott the events.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by Enddy50ty(m): 11:39am On Jul 06

Anytime things don’t go there way, they always force it to… you remember that FBI investigation on Sep Blatter.?
It was because they lost the then World Cup bid

8 Likes

Re: White House Pressure On Infantino Led To Overturn Of Balogun Red Card by simpleseyi: 11:40am On Jul 06

Americans must rig everything, from their past Presidential elections where their drug addict citizens invaded their National Assembly, to their stealing of oil all over the world. What a cursed country ruled by child rapists and human flesh eaters

4 Likes 2 Shares

1 2 3 Reply

FIFA 'Crossed A Red Line' Says UEFA After Balogun Red Card Reversal • US Secretary Of State, Rubio Calls For Appeal Against Balogun's Red Card • American Calls On FBI To Investigate Brazilian Ref Who Gave Balogun Red Card • 2 • 3 • 4

Enyeama To Return For Qualifier Against Malawi • Turkish Women’s Cup: Super Falcons Coach Names Final Squad • Kelechi Iheanacho: Eagles Will Do Better In 2022 Worldcup