President Donald Trump has confirmed he intervened to ask football's world governing body, FIFA, to review the one-match suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Balogun, 25, had been shown a straight red card for a foul during a previous match, and was initially set to miss the crucial last-16 tie against Belgium.

FIFA's decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, allowing Balogun to play, has drawn widespread criticism from various football bodies, including UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA). The RBFA has expressed astonishment and is contesting Balogun's eligibility for the match, after their appeal against FIFA's decision was dismissed.

Trump stated that he asked FIFA for a review because he did not believe the foul warranted a red card. He confirmed speaking with FIFA president Gianni Infantino but emphasized that he only requested a review and did not instruct Infantino to overturn the ban. Trump suggested that the suspension would have been a "big stain" on the tournament and that the decision was ultimately made by a commission.

The implications of this intervention are significant, raising questions about the integrity of the game and the influence of external parties on FIFA's judicial processes. UEFA has stated that the decision "left the integrity of football at stake." The match is scheduled to take place in Seattle, with Balogun having scored three goals in the tournament so far.

Trump also criticized the referee's decision, calling it "horrible" and the official "a little bit suspect." In response, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) defended the referee's integrity, asserting he is an "exemplary professional" with no record to discredit him.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in a statement on X, informed Trump that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies, and the case would be decided by the competent bodies. The FIFA appeal committee ultimately deemed Belgium not to be an interested party in the original decision, rendering their request inadmissible.

The controversy highlights a growing tension between national and international sporting bodies and external political pressures. The initial red card shown to Balogun was for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Balogun's potential absence was a significant blow to the US team's prospects in the knockout stages. His availability, following the review, allows him to be selected for the match against Belgium.