Did you know that Truthout is a nonprofit and independently funded by readers like you? If you value what we do, please support our work with a donation.

FIFA, the international soccer organization that governs the World Cup, lifted a red card suspension for U.S. star player Folarin Balogun on Sunday after President Donald Trump intervened through an intense lobbying effort.

Balogun’s red card penalty against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week was itself questionable, with some commentators stating that the infraction he was called for did not warrant such a severe penalty. Nevertheless, the lifting of a red card sanction — which, in Balogun’s case, carried with it a one-game suspension — is incredibly rare. The last time that FIFA lifted a red card during World Cup play was in 1962 (although the organizing body also lifted a red card last fall during the qualification phase, for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo).

In a statement, FIFA explained that:

In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.

In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.

U.S. Men’s team said it was “pleased” with the decision, but that their “attention is focused on the round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle” on Monday night. Belgium, meanwhile, said it was “astonished” by the ban on the red card penalty, and that it was in “direct contradiction” with tournament regulations. The team added that it was “investigating all potential options” against the move.

Iran’s Soccer Team Says US Revoked Its Ticket Allocation........

© Truthout