Trump called FIFA president to review Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of USA-Belgium match, source

[mystery-ak]

Trump called FIFA president to review Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of USA-Belgium match, source says
FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended Balogun's red card ban on a one-year probationary basis, leaving Belgium 'astonished'
 By Scott Thompson , Patrick Ward Fox News
Published July 5, 2026 4:32pm EDT

President Donald Trump intervened in Folarin Balogun’s red card controversy in the World Cup, calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the controversial decision in the Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a source confirmed to Fox News.

It’s unknown what exactly Trump said to Infantino, who the 45th and 47th president has called a "great leader in sports" and a friend.

The USMNT striker, who has three goals in this World Cup including one prior to his red card in the Round of 32 match, has been cleared to play in a stunning twist of events.

The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code stated, "the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure."

"If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement," the rule added.

FIFA confirmed Balogun’s suspension was for a probationary period of one year.

"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said. "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."

more
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trump-called-fifa-president-review-folarin-balogun-red-card-usa-belgium-match

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2073896643041054915

[mountaineer]

Clay Travis
@ClayTravis
Sources: President Trump, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, and White House task force head Andrew Giuliani put together a team of elite lawyers — from outside the government — to challenge the Flo Balogun red card. Specifically they challenged the use of slow motion instant replay to give the red card, which they argued violated FIFA rules. The president also conveyed to Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, that the appeal had been filed and he believed the red card penalty was excessive. FIFA’s independent committee reviewed the decision and agreed the penalty was incorrectly given, rescinding it under their rule 27 authority.
3:29 PM · Jul 5, 2026

"Sources," whomever they may be.

[the OlLine Rebel]

This is a bad look.  Why can’t he keep his hands to himself, so to speak?

Trump needs to shut up about everything outside actual politics.

[Cyber Liberty]

This is a bad look.  Why can’t he keep his hands to himself, so to speak?

Trump needs to shut up about everything outside actual politics.

The purpose of the "red card" was to disadvantage team USA in the finals.  Nothing more, nothing less.  This is no different than the Refs allowing black players to knock the shit out of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA.

[the OlLine Rebel]

The purpose of the "red card" was to disadvantage team USA in the finals.  Nothing more, nothing less.  This is no different than the Refs allowing black players to knock the shit out of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA.

Again, that may be true.  But national leaders…the most powerful leader in the world…should stay out of it.  Griping on it is enough…but actually dabbling?  We’ll get nothing but hell for that.

As it is, this stupid game cheats lots of teams, just by random adding time for gods sake.  The whole game is stupid and rife for dabbling within itself.

[mountaineer]

Can't get to it from this device  but will post tomorrow  - reportedly Trump contacted this guy only for an explanation, not to bully him into rescinding the red card. If Trump actually was responsible for the reversal,  wouldn't he be bragging about it?

Of course, by the time I get a chance to post what I read, he may have taken credit for it. 

[Hoodat]

[cato potatoe]

Why does our president care who wins a kickball game? 

[mystery-ak]

REPORT: Inside How U.S. Soccer Got the Flo Balogun Red Card Overturned

Overturning the questionable red card against star striker Folarin Balogun was a concerted effort from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/07/05/inside-how-u-s-soccer-got-the-flo-balogun-red-card-overturned/


Leftists Plead with US Soccer Star to Reject Trump’s ‘Unfair Intervention,’ Refuse to Play in Pivotal World Cup Match

While U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) players and fans were rejoicing and celebrating after hearing that star scorer Folarin Balogun’s red card had been reversed after some intercession from President Trump, allowing him to play in Monday night’s crucial World Cup matchup against Belgium, another group of people was consumed with angst and lamenting how America would be perceived by the world.

https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/07/05/leftists-plead-with-us-soccer-star-to-reject-trumps-unfair-intervention-refuse-to-play-in-pivotal-world-cup-match/

[mountaineer]

Why does our president care who wins a kickball game?

Many Americans hope their team wins, and question a call that seems really bad.

[mystery-ak]

Belgium makes move after USA World Cup star's red card suspension was lifted: report

Belgium's RBFA said it is 'astonished' and is exploring all options to defend fair play after the unprecedented ruling

By Ryan Gaydos Fox News
Published July 6, 2026 6:07am EDT

Belgium’s soccer federation on Monday was reportedly given the right to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card ban it gave USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) requested a full explanation from FIFA over its decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban, The Athletic reported Monday. The RBFA is also requesting a report from FIFA’s officiating body, according to the report.

The U.S. and Belgium start their Round of 16 game in Seattle at 8 p.m. ET.

more
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/belgium-makes-move-after-usa-world-cup-star-red-card-suspension-lifted-report

[Wingnut]

Leftists Plead with US Soccer Star to Reject Trump’s ‘Unfair Intervention,’ Refuse to Play in Pivotal World Cup Match



https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/07/05/leftists-plead-with-us-soccer-star-to-reject-trumps-unfair-intervention-refuse-to-play-in-pivotal-world-cup-match/

Leftist hate anything American.  If it brings the country pride they despise it.  They suck the joy out of everything that would represent American excellence. 

They are a pox on America and should be shunned and given a scarlet card.

[mystery-ak]

ESPN writer hates Team USA getting Folarin Balogun back, says any World Cup success is now 'tainted'
Mark Ogden warns a USA win over Belgium will carry an asterisk despite widespread criticism of the red card
By Alejandro Avila OutKick
Published July 6, 2026 7:19am EDT

Team USA is hours away from its biggest home-soil match in a generation. ESPN has somehow decided it's the villain.

Instead of building excitement for Monday night's World Cup Round of 16 showdown against Belgium in Seattle, ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden spent the eve of the match explaining why Team USA shouldn't feel too good about getting Folarin Balogun back.

His headline says it all: "Nobody benefits from FIFA letting Balogun off the hook -- not even the USMNT."

Rather than seeing a controversial decision corrected, Ogden argues the reversal hurts the tournament, hurts FIFA and, somehow, even hurts Team USA.

more
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/espn-writer-hates-team-usa-getting-folarin-balogun-back-says-any-world-cup-success-now-tainted

[mountaineer]

Ben Jacobs
@JacobsBen
🗣️ A US official confirms to @Emilylgoodin that President Trump and Gianni Infantino spoke following Flo Balogun's red card.
"The President and Infantino did speak, and the President wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension. 
"The appeal process is run by an independent board.  The US government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process."
7:17 PM · Jul 5, 2026

Marc Caputo
@MarcACaputo
FWIW, 2 sources who told me the same thing: Trump called Infantino to understand the rules, didn’t make a specific ask & was told it was being independently reviewed.
"If Trump had put his thumb on the scale and achieved this result, he would have a field day bragging about it”
8:19 PM · Jul 5, 2026

BlueSky Ambassador
@BlueSkyAmb
To be fair - This isn’t special treatment for the U.S. or Trump. Under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, FIFA can review and correct decisions like this. The red card was questionable, and overturning it is within the rules. Not political—just the regulations being applied.

9:29 PM · Jul 5, 2026

Cory Olis
@OlisCory
But they did not overturn it. They let the red card stand, and only changed the automatic 1 game suspension to probationary. THAT is what's wrong with it. If it's a red card, then there's a 1 game suspension. If you don't think it is a red card, remove the whole thing.
5:26 AM · Jul 6, 2026

Good grief. Let's just get this tournament over with, already.

[mystery-ak]

Well...even if the US team wins it all there will always be a cloud on their victory because of Trump's interference  [although I was happy to see it happen]

[cato potatoe]

Many Americans hope their team wins, and question a call that seems really bad.

Who can tell whether the call is bad?  It’s a silly group of men pretending to be hurt so they can get a free kick.  Half of them look like illegal aliens too.

[Wingnut]

Who can tell whether the call is bad?  It’s a silly group of men pretending to be hurt so they can get a free kick.  Half of them look like illegal aliens too.

If Fosbury hadn't invented the "Flop"...  Soccer would have!

[Cyber Liberty]

Who can tell whether the call is bad?  It’s a silly group of men pretending to be hurt so they can get a free kick. 

That's a pretty fair description of professional Basketball, too.  If a player turns around and farts, somebody gets a trip to the Free Throw line.

[catfish1957]

Well...even if the US team wins it all there will always be a cloud on their victory because of Trump's interference  [although I was happy to see it happen]

This is a lose-lose for the USA...  If they win, it will seem tainted.  If they lose it'll diminish their team, as unable to win without finger on the scale.

If Trump did intervene, he did no one any favors.  This looks bad, and replaces his legacy of landing the games in the first place.

[catfish1957]

If Fosbury hadn't invented the "Flop"...  Soccer would have!

That crap makes an almost unwatchable sport unbearable. 

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2074166791417598099

[catfish1957]

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2074166791417598099

You mean the New York Times lied?   

[mystery-ak]

Post
Conversation
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The Athletic | Football
@TheAthleticFC
FIFA has dismissed Belgium’s challenge over the eligibility of Folarin Balogun after the world soccer governing body decided to suspend his one-game ban ahead of the World Cup round-of-16 game with the United States.

Despite being dismissed against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USMNT striker is available to face Belgium in Seattle on Monday night after an intervention involving U.S. President Donald Trump, government officials, U.S. Soccer and an extensive legal team.

Belgium formally objected to that decision saying it had “no alternative but to challenge (Balogun’s) eligibility for the upcoming match”.

FIFA’s appeals committee, however, has rendered the request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as “inadmissible”. They did so on the grounds that “the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” a statement from FIFA said.

In response the RBFA acknowledged receipt of the decision before indicating “further actions” were still open to the federation.

[mystery-ak]

Love these guys

https://twitter.com/FOXSports/status/2073893135462109623

[mountaineer]

That's a pretty fair description of professional Basketball, too.  If a player turns around and farts, somebody gets a trip to the Free Throw line.

That describes LeFlop James, definitely.

[mystery-ak]

Joe Pompliano
@JoePompliano
So to recap what happened with the USMNT:

• Balogun received a bogus red card
• VAR protocol isn't followed (no slow-mo)
•  Trump calls Infantino to ask about the process
• US Soccer lawyers preapre & submit an appeal

FIFA's independent 18-person disciplinary committee then met, approved the appeal, and told Balogun he could play in Monday's match against Belgium.

That's what everyone is complaining about?

All rules were followed, and that same process is open to every other country. The only difference is everyone knows the red card was a mistake to begin with.
10:42 AM · Jul 6, 2026
·
515K
 
Views

[catfish1957]

In 1973 if someone told me a mediocre song by John Denver would create a world wide Soccer sensation 50 years later?   

[mystery-ak]

[mystery-ak]

Game On!

https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2074178500085309912

[Hoodat]

That's hilarious.

[Polly Ticks]

In 1973 if someone told me a mediocre song by John Denver would create a world wide Soccer sensation 50 years later?   

http://twitter.com/BrandonGaudin/status/2073359601060221401

Lots of soccer fans going to watch baseball games, too.

[catfish1957]

Flip side of the red flag kerfuffle, Does anyone believe the US can beat UK, France, or Argentina anyway, and their world class elite players?

From my POV, it seems we got the lucky brackets.