‘Our game, not theirs’ – Klopp slams FIFA’s Balogun decision

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Klopp

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Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday slammed FIFA’s decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension, which reportedly took place after an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

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Balogun was set to miss Monday’s last-16 knockout clash with Belgium having picked up a red card in his previous match, but FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban for a year, making the forward eligible to play.

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Sources told AFP Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking him to review Balogun’s punishment.

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Former Liverpool manager Klopp, who is set to become the next Germany manager after Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation on Friday, hit out at the decision.

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“It’s a red card, even if it’s a shame because Balogun can’t play, but it’s there in the rules,” Klopp said.

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“This is our game, not theirs… If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that’s crazy. It calls everything into question…

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“These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn’t have anything to do with it,” the 59-year-old added.

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Balogun, 25, was shown straight a red card after a VAR review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia defender in the US’s 2-0 last-32 win.

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FIFA’s regulations state a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban, which cannot be appealed.

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But a rule in the FIFA statues allows the governing body to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”, essentially amounting to a veto over refereeing decisions.

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The previously little-known rule was the basis for overturning a three-game suspension imposed on Cristiano Ronaldo in the lead-up to the tournament which meant the superstar forward was eligible to play in Portugal’s first two games.

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German FA (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf demanded an explanation from FIFA, saying the decision jeopardised the tournament’s credibility.

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“FIFA should now quickly address reports suggesting that the decision to suspend the red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Neuendorf told AFP subsidiary SID on Monday.

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“The impression that there was active political interference in the sport must be swiftly and conclusively dispelled. It is a matter of the integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA.”

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Trump, who was the inaugural recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize in the lead-up to the tournament, praised FIFA’s decision on social media.

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“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

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