‘Spineless’: Zlatan Ibrahimović criticized after backing controversial FIFA decision by Folarin Balogun

Zlatan Ibrahimović has faced criticism after supporting FIFA’s decision to let Folarin Balogun play against Belgium despite a red card ban. Zlatan Ibrahimović has come under fire after publicly backing FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend United States striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, allowing him to face Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup. The decision, announced just days after Balogun received a straight red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, has sparked reports of a major political push in football. The situation escalated after Donald Trump publicly said he had personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the decision to be overturned, with allegations of political interference quickly spreading and fueling widespread debate about FIFA’s independence and integrity. While FIFA insists the decision was made independently, the timing of the decision and Trump’s own comments only increased scrutiny.

FIFA lifted Balogun’s suspension ahead of Belgium clash

Balogun was expected to miss the USA’s Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the 64th minute of the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.The Arsenal forward, who had already opened the scoring before being sent off for a tackle on Tarik Muharemović, was given an automatic one-match ban under FIFA competition rules.However, FIFA later announced that the sanction would not be applied immediately.World football’s governing body said in a statement:“In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”The decision means Balogun, who scored three goals and provided three assists during the tournament, remains available for Belgium as the United States chases its first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002.

Ibrahimović supports FIFA’s decision

Ibrahimović, who worked as a pundit for FOX Sports during the World Cup, welcomed FIFA’s intervention and argued that Balogun should never have been released.“I mean I’m happy for the USA,” Ibrahimović said.“As Thierry said, he shouldn’t have received the red card in the first place, then this decision should have come faster.“But I’m happy for the American team because they were amazing, but Balogun was super amazing and with him it’s an extra strength.His comments quickly divided opinion online.One supporter wrote: “These guys are not allowed to criticize FIFA. This is blatant home cooking.”Another wrote: “Zlatan puts on this big macho persona all the time but watch him with zero backbone on live TV when it really matters.”

Henry agrees with the result but questions the timing

Ibrahimović’s fellow FOX Sports analyst Thierry Henry also argued that Balogun should not have been sent off, but stressed that FIFA’s late decision had unfairly affected Belgium’s preparations.“Yes, that’s exactly the latest news for Belgium,” Henry said in a video shared by FOX Sports on X.“That must have broken their spirit a little bit because you also prepare for the game to play a certain way and then all of a sudden you have to change the preparation for the game.“That’s also what it does when you do something like this. Three, four days to decide.”Henry reiterated his belief that the original dismissal was improper.“Now we have to get back to the point. I don’t think it was a red card and we all said that. We all know it wasn’t… he didn’t do it on purpose.”Still, he acknowledged the disruption caused by FIFA’s late intervention.“I have to say that if you are Belgium, the preparation for the game changes everything.Henry added that while similar situations may have happened before, citing Garrinch’s case from decades ago, the central issue remained the timing rather than the final verdict.“I was fine, it’s the right call, but why so late?”

Neville, Keane and Wright condemn FIFA’s behaviour

The reaction on ITV Sport was considerably more critical, with Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright questioning FIFA’s process and consistency.Keane said:“It seems unfair because it is unfair.“You have to look at the opposition team in terms of their preparation and let’s just say it looks like a bit of a friendly act.Neville reserved his strongest criticism for FIFA itself.“It absolutely stinks, let’s be really clear.“The biggest stinker is that there should be a review process because I didn’t really think it was a red card.“I think there should be a process to reverse it, but if there’s no process to reverse it, and then out of the blue FIFA decided to basically let the player play… and the rules are the same for everyone.“I’d be absolutely furious if I was Belgium and every other team in the tournament to have a player sent off who might think it’s a bit tough.”“You know something? Are we surprised? No, not with this one.”Wright also questioned the integrity of FIFA’s handling of the incident.“The suspensions are meant to be served during the tournament.“This is suspended, it doesn’t normally happen, but we talk about integrity, people talk about transparency, but you look at some of the things that happened in this tournament with certain teams … it’s shameful, especially when it’s an American player.”“Whether he is guilty of what he did, whether we think he should have received a red card or not, some of the things that happened at this World Cup were shameful.With Belgium already exploring its legal options over the decision and criticism continuing from across the footballing world, Balogun’s availability has become one of the tournament’s most contentious points ahead of the round of 16 clash in Seattle.