Donald Trump has not been super involved in the World Cup in recent weeks, but he and his administration might have stepped in at a crucial moment for the USMNT.
Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for getting sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been suspended for a year, and just in time for the US’ round of 16 clash against Belgium.
The decision was announced by FIFA on Sunday. There is precedent for such a decision, but there is also a growing belief that external factors — namely the Trump administration — had a part to play. That’s the claim now being made by Ben Jacobs.
The White House urged Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun suspension
Reporter Ben Jacobs revealed exclusively on X: “The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card.”
If that’s true, it marks yet another example of Infantino and Trump’s close relationship impacting decisions made throughout the tournament. But football’s governing body have denied the claims.
Jacobs continued: “FIFA approached for comment and referred to the findings of its independent committee.
“FIFA sources insist White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.”
This World Cup has seen politics seep into proceedings to a greater extent than anything we have seen in recent editions. It’s not hard to imagine that’s happening here, but it’s not something they are admitting to.
Truth is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a US soccer fan lamenting the decision, regardless of how it was reached.
It’s likely a combination of the two. Partly, FIFA abiding by their own rules and granting the US star striker a suspended ban as they have done in recent similar instances. But partly, a nudge from the hosts to make sure this one gets looked into.
While squad depth has been a major positive of the USMNT’s run so far, Balogun is so important at the striker position. Having him available to start gives Mauricio Pochettino a much better chance at keeping this World Cup dream alive.
READ MORE:
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