FIFA’s decision to revoke Folarin Balogun’s ban has taken a new turn with a report claiming that the decision was taken without the consultation of 17 committee members. Bolagun was handed a one-match ban for a serious foul during the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under the FIFA rules, any appeal against a red card is not permitted. But the FIFA decided to suspend his ban, allowing him to play against Belgium.
The Times has reported that the decision to let him play was taken by Mohammad al-Kamali, the chairman of the disciplinary committee. Bolagun-starrer USA suffered a 1-4 defeat against Belgium in the round of 16 to crash out of the tournament.
“Of course, it’s controversial when the decision is overturned. We accepted the decision when I saw the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were told I could play. I was not involved in the process. It had nothing to do with me personally,” Balogun said after his ban was suspended.
Donald Trump spoke to FIFA President
Addressing the media on July 6, Donald Trump confirmed speaking to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card as he thinks it wasn’t a foul.
“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do. I’ve never seen anything like it. So I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete. I understand sports really well. Really well,” the US President said.
“That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other. You can’t take your foot and properly place it on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. These were two great athletes that got tangled up. If he punched him in the face, if he did something wrong, I’d feel differently,” he added.
Belgium, who defeated USA in the round of 16, suffered a defeat against Spain in the quarter-final to crash out. Spain will be in action in the semi-final against France.
