Balogun’s ban would have stained World Cup – Trump

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US President, Donald Trump, has confirmed he asked FIFA to review striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension at the World Cup, noting that the ban would have left a ‘big stain’ on the tournament had it been implemented.

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Balogun, 25, was set to miss his side’s last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.

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But FIFA made the shock decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, leading to widespread criticism, including from UEFA, Belgium and England boss Thomas Tuchel.

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Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump confirmed he had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino but said “all” he did was ask for a review and added he did not tell the Swiss he had to suspend Balogun’s ban.

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“I think it the suspension would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”

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Trump said referee Raphael Claus’ decision to send off Balogun was ‘horrible’ and called the Brazilian ‘a little bit suspect’.

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In a statement on X, Infantino said that on receiving a call from Trump, he told the US President 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”.

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Earlier on Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was ‘astonished’ by FIFA’s decision, while European football governing body UEFA said on Tuesday it left the integrity of football at stake.

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Asked by BBC Sport to comment on Trump’s comments, his view on Claus, Belgium’s claims and the appeal process, FIFA said it had “nothing more” to add “for now”.

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However, Infantino later stated FIFA’s judicial bodies were independent and rulings must always be respected.

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“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

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“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant.

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“Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

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England head coach Thomas Tuchel also said the ruling set a dangerous precedent.

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UEFA said intervening to effectively cancel a suspension at a tournament “crossed a red line”.

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Of the 189 other red cards at the World Cup, only once has a player escaped a suspension.

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That was Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962 – before automatic bans were in place, and the failure to impose a sanction was shrouded in allegations of political interference.

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FIFA cited article 27 of its disciplinary code, which gives authority to partially suspended disciplinary measures, in announcing Balogun’s one-match ban would be suspended for a probationary period of one year.

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However, FIFA has not provided a specific explanation for its decision in the Balogun case.

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