The suspended former FIFA president criticizes the organization’s decision on Folarin Balogun
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has reacted to the soccer federation’s decision to stop the red penalty for America’s World Cup star Folarin Balogun before the team’s match against Belgium.
Blatter was banned twice by FIFA after a corruption investigation and is suspended from participating in the organization’s activities until 2027. Current FIFA president Gianni Infantino eventually replaced Blatter as head.
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FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter greets the USA team before their 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup match against North Korea at the Chengdu Sports Center Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. (CSPA / USA TODAY Sports)
Balogun received a red card during the US win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on a defender’s ankle while trying to block the ball. The card was issued after a VAR review. Amid the uproar, a source told Fox News that President Donald Trump called Infantino and asked FIFA to review the match. On Sunday, the reversal was announced.
“Red cards are not dismissed by political calls,” Blatter wrote in X. “They are overruled by laws, evidence and independent organizations. When the President of the US intervenes with the President of FIFA – and the player is already cleared before the final game of the World Cup – the question cannot be avoided: Quo vadis, FIFA?
“Football should not be a playground for political power.”
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Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates after scoring the third goal for the USMNT in the first half of the Group Stage, Group D match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Kirby Lee/Images)
Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House chief of staff Andrew Giuliani assembled a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun a red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis.
It is not clear how well FIFA has taken this approach.
Belgium was reportedly given the right to appeal the decision and asked FIFA to provide a full explanation as to why the suspension was lifted.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “surprised” and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia scoffed at FIFA’s decision.
“I didn’t know that in the FIFA offices the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator. “The Belgian federation does not protect itself, it does not protect the national team. It protects football in general, it protects its integrity, its behavior. I think it is the first time in the history of the World Cup that there has been a decision like this.”
Folarin Balogun of the US is comforted by teammates Giovanni Reyna and Timothy Weah after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Carlos Barria / Reuters via Imagn Images)
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UEFA also said FIFA’s decision “crossed a red line.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
