JAKARTA - President Donald Trump reportedly intervened in the World Cup. Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask him to reconsider the ban on playing due to a red card received by the US soccer star, Folarin Balogun.
Balogun is now available to play in the World Cup round of 16 match that pits the US national team (USMNT) against Belgium on Tuesday morning WIB, after FIFA suspended a one-match ban for the controversial red card he received.
On Sunday, June 5, FIFA stated that "the implementation of the ban was suspended for a probationary period of one year."
According to sources quoted by ABC News, the phone conversation between Trump and Infantino took place last week.
Balogun received a red card in the second half of the US' match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, after his foot collided with the leg of an opponent.
As a result of the incident, Balogun was sent off from the match and was automatically given a one-match ban.
At that time, FIFA conveyed to ABC News, the referee's decision was final and could not be canceled or appealed.
FIFA explained that if Balogun "commits another offence of a similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspension of the sentence will be revoked and the sanction will be imposed, without prejudice to the possibility of additional sanctions for the new offence."
"The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is surprised by FIFA's decision to allow the American player Folarin Balogun - who should have been suspended - to play" in Monday's match (local time), the RBFA said in a statement in response to the incident.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly stipulates that a red card (expulsion from the field) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as is the case for all red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup," RBFA said.
"In order to protect the legitimate rights of all participating teams and protect the basic principles of sportsmanship in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future tournament editions, the RBFA is studying all possible options," the RBFA concluded.
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