U.S. lead scorer Folarin Balogun's red card suspension lifted after Trump called FIFA president, sources say - CBS News

U.S. Men's National Team star Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play in the World Cup match against Belgium on Monday, after FIFA's disciplinary committee lifted a red card suspension he received on Wednesday.

Balogun's reinstatement came after President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday and spoke about the suspension against the 25-year-old striker, Mr. Trump confirmed Monday. Balogun received the red card during the United States' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina when he collided with a Bosnian defender.

"I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after an unrelated event. "I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled."

Infantino also confirmed the call Monday in a statement responding to criticism of FIFA's decision.

"During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," he said of his call with Mr. Trump.

Infantino said the judicial bodies "operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them."

Mr. Trump praised Infantino as "a smart, tough man" and said he didn't tell him what to do.

"I can't tell him what to do," Mr. Trump said. "I don't believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision."

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, also spoke to Infantino about the situation, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was also in communication with FIFA. Spokespeople for the White House, Lutnick and Giuliani did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment.

In a statement Monday, FIFA said that under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, "the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures so long as they do not relate to match manipulation—which, of course, did not occur here."

"It should be added that employment of art. 27 FDC is not unprecedented, as similar decisions have previously been issued during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers," FIFA said.

The organization maintained that sanctions against Balogun were not lifted, saying that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a $40,000 fine against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The committee's move to suspend the one-match ban was "decided considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available," FIFA said, but did not go into details.

"Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game," the statement said. "Suspending the effects of a red card based on an explicit provision of the applicable regulations is a much more balanced measure."

The Royal Belgian Football Association had requested FIFA provide a copy of the decision to defer Balogun's suspension and an explanation of the process that had been followed, according to a statement.

Later, the FIFA Appeal Committee said the association's request "was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision."

The association said it was "merely seeking legitimate explanations," but "FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible."

The group added it had not received any information on the grounds for the decision.

"The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee's team sheet," the association said.

Decision draws criticism

In its statement, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision.

"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," the organization said.

UEFA, Europe's governing body for soccer, said on Monday the decision "crossed a red line."