World Cup: Ex-FIFA boss criticizes overturning of Trump-linked red card for US star
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticized FIFA after the governing body suspended Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, allowing the United States forward to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 clash following reports of US President Donald Trump’s intervention.
The decision, which was announced on Sunday, caused a stir one of the biggest controversies of the tournament. Balogun’s availability for knockout points has drawn criticism from across the football world, with Blatter becoming the most senior figure to question the circumstances surrounding FIFA’s decision.
Balogun received an automatic one-game suspension after being sent off during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 25-year-old opened the scoring before being shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.
With three goals to his name, Balogun is the United States’ top scorer at the tournament and a key figure in United States coach Mauricio Pochettino’s attack heading into the game for the last 16 years.
Blatter did not hold back in his criticism of the governing body. In a post on X, the former FIFA boss questioned whether football’s disciplinary process remained independent.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If the US president intervenes with the president of FIFA and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is inevitable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Former boss Sepp Blatter blames Screengra FIFA after US star Ub (X) was linked to Trump.
“Football must never become a playground for political power.”
Blatter’s remarks came amid reports that Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the United States’ victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina and asked the governing body to review Balogun’s dismissal.
The Latin phrase Quo vadis, meaning “Where are you going?”, underscored Blatter’s criticism of FIFA’s management under Infantino.
While FIFA has not publicly commented on the reported conversation between Trump and Infantino, the governing body confirmed on Sunday that it had suspended Balogun’s automatic one-match ban under Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code.
“Pursuant to Article 27 of the FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,” FIFA’s disciplinary committee said in a statement.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another violation of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension will be lifted and the penalty enforced without prejudice to any additional penalty imposed for the new violation.”
The decision essentially allowed Balogun to start against Belgium, despite a red card remaining on his disciplinary record.
The decision also drew criticism from Belgian officials who questioned the timing and circumstances of FIFA’s intervention.
Trump later welcomed the decision on Truth Socialwrites: “Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!”
The decision also confirmed the stance taken by Pochettino, who claimed in the immediate aftermath of the Bosnia and Herzegovina match that Balogun’s challenge did not warrant a straight red card.
For Blatter, this episode is the latest point of contention with the current leadership of FIFA. The Swiss administrator served as FIFA president from 1998 to 2015 before stepping down amid corruption investigations.
He has frequently criticized Infantino’s administration and earlier this year supported calls for a fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States over concerns surrounding the Trump administration.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
06 Jul 2026 15:00 IST