USMNT players confirm how Trump’s meddling in the Balogun red card affair impacted the game against Belgium
Folarin Balogun was involved in one of the most controversial plays and decisions of the World Cup before their 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
It was the off-pitch story of the World Cup this summer. A decision that no one could understand and that everyone was against. Now it seems as though even USMNT players were uneasy with the decision to “lift” Folarin Balogun’s red card.
Historic decision by FIFA
The United States forward was shown a red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina in their round of 32 match after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. There wasn’t any intent and the decision to give a red card debatable, but the referee stood by his decision and sent Balogun his marching orders.
The red card carried a one game suspension which meant he was set to miss the round of 16 game against Belgium, but after a call from Donald Trump to the FIFA president Gianni Infantino the suspension was lifted. While Infantino claimed the call had no influence, there was suspicion of meddling politics and soccer. FIFA, and it’s president referred to article 27 which “gives FIFA’s judicial bodies the authority to suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction, either in full or in part. Rather than cancelling a sanction, the provision allows its implementation to be suspended under specific conditions.”
Belgium was furious at the decision. Especially the timing of the decision. The match was on Monday, and they found out that Balogun was going to play on Saturday. While FIFA tried to sell the “suspended red card punishment” as by the book Belgium wasn’t buying it and neither was anyone else.
Meddling didn’t’ work
After the fact, the US said that it was a distraction that they didn’t need before one of the biggest games in national team history. While they did get one of their most effective scorers and dynamic playmakers back, they felt like Belgium was given even more motivation to beat the USMNT on their home soil.
In the end, Belgium demolished Mauricio Pochettino’s men 4-1. Balogun barely touched the ball and was subbed off in stoppage time. It was a disappointing exit after a distracting few days leading up to the round of 16.
In the end, football won, and Belgium went through despite the controversy. They would go on to lose to eventual champions, Spain in the next round. Balogun spoke to the media about the days leading up to the Belgium game. “My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy,” said the USMNT number 9 before concluding, “And I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves. Because it is something that is so unique. The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise and that’s hard to avoid.”
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