Only One FIFA Official Took Decision To Waive Folarin Balogun's Ban, No Other Member Consulted

Published 13 July 2026 · sports

Only One FIFA Official Took Decision To Waive Folarin Balogun's Ban, No Other Member Consulted Published By, Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 10:52 IST The

Only One FIFA Official Took Decision To Waive Folarin Balogun's Ban, No Other Member Consulted Published By, Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 10:52 IST The controversy surrounding the suspension of USA's Folarin Balogun's one-match ban refuses to die down. Rapid Read Folarin Balogun (right) took part in Belgium clash after his ban was suspended for a year. (AP Photo) A fresh report has raised further questions about how USA striker Folarin Balogun was allowed to play in his team’s crucial pre-quarterfinal clash against Belgium at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. Balogun was shown a red card for stepping on the right ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic during USA’s round-of-32 clash earlier this month. The red card carried an automatic one-match suspension. However, in a stunning decision, FIFA invoked a rule that allowed the ban to be suspended for one year, making Balogun eligible to face Belgium.

The decision drew widespread criticism and escalated into a major controversy after reports emerged that USA President Donald Trump had lobbied FIFA to review the suspension. Now, according to *The Times*, the decision to suspend the ban was made by a single official, Mohammad al-Kamali, the chairman of FIFA’s disciplinary committee, without the involvement of the committee’s other 17 members. England’s Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for a high challenge on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo during his side’s 3-2 win in the pre-quarterfinals and FIFA’s disciplinary committee had ruled that the center-back will have to serve a two-match ban after determining that his challenge constituted serious foul play. The contrasting decisions further fueled the controversy. Infantino Admits Receiving Call From Trump FIFA later released a statement defending its decision to waive the ban after European football governing body UEFA accused the global body of “crossing a line".

FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that he spoke to Trump but denied there was any external influence behind the decision to suspend the ban. “Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues," Infantino said in a statement. “During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold," he added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent.