FIFA Replaces Balogun Red-Card Suspension With Fine and Probation After Review

FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban hours before the United States played Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. The disciplinary committee replaced the suspension with a $40,000 fine and one-year probation. The decision marked the first time since 1962 that a World Cup red card did not produce an automatic suspension.

President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he telephoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino after viewing the tackle and requested a review. Trump said he did not instruct Infantino on the outcome. “I didn’t tell [Infantino] what to do.

I can’t tell him what to do, and I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision. And they made the right decision,” Trump said. Balogun received the red card for a tackle during a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He had scored in every prior match of the tournament. FIFA initially imposed the one-match suspension, then lifted it after the review. Balogun started and played in the round-of-16 match against Belgium.

The United States lost 4-1 after Belgium took a 3-1 lead following a defensive error, Fortune reported. FIFA statutes require member associations to remain politically neutral. The organization previously suspended Kenya and Zimbabwe in 2022 for government interference.

Infantino stated that FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. Fortune reported that Belgium lodged an appeal that FIFA ruled inadmissible. UEFA stated the decision crossed a red line. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was deeply concerned about the decision.