FIFA faces backlash over lifting red card suspension for U.S. Men’s National Team lead scorer Folarin Balogun. Sources tell CBS News that President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, leading to Balogun’s reinstatement and his availability for Monday’s World Cup match against Belgium.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) expressed disbelief at the decision, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.” UEFA stated that soccer’s integrity is at stake when rules are not guaranteed by their guardians, undermining competition credibility.
Andrew Giuliani, White House’s World Cup task force executive director, also spoke to Infantino about the situation. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was in communication with FIFA, but both did not immediately comment on CBS News’ request.
The Royal Belgian Football Association, whose team will face the U.S. Monday, expressed astonishment at the decision, contradicting FIFA’s own rules. They too condemned the move as undermining game integrity and competition credibility.
Prominent British commentators, including Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, condemned the decision as an “absolute disgrace” and a “stink,” respectively. Both questioned the influence of politics on sporting decisions, which they believe undermines sport autonomy.
European Union’s Commissioner for Sport also believed the decision was wrong, stating that sporting matters belong to sporting bodies, not politicians. Influencing such decisions would undermine sport’s autonomy.