FIFA lifted the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun, who received a red card in the round-of-16 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
US President Donald Trump took to social media to thank FIFA for the decision. Reports in American media also claimed that Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, something Trump now confirms.
Calls the referee suspicious
"I saw the tackle, and it was no foul. It was two guys running at full speed and colliding," Trump said during a press conference at the White House.
"It wasn't like he punched someone in the face. It would have been another five. It was unfair for FIFA to take away one of the best players in the United States," he continues.
The American president also takes a swipe at Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who handed out the red card.
This judge… he's a bit suspicious, if you look at his history. I don't want to say it because I don't like to create controversy, but he's suspicious.
Following the lifting, corruption allegations have been levelled against FIFA from several quarters. The German Football Association has also demanded that FIFA address reports that the suspension was lifted after the conversation between Infantino and Trump.
Gianni Infantino confirms that the conversation took place and writes the following via FIFA's media account on X:
"FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They work independently and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific circumstances of each individual case."
Appeal rejected
The United States' next opponent, Belgium, appealed the controversial decision. According to information provided to The Athletic, the Belgian Football Association has contacted FIFA to appeal the lifting of Balogun's suspension. FIFA has also granted the Belgian federation the right to appeal.
Later on Monday evening, however, FIFA announced that the Belgian appeal was "invalid", citing that the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) was not a party to the case.
So far in the World Cup, 13 red cards have been handed out, but only Balogun's suspension has been lifted, according to the AP.
