Trump-backed Balogun reprieve sparks FIFA crisis, but Belgium send US out of World Cup

FIFA insists its judicial bodies acted independently after US President Donald Trump backed the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban, but the ruling sparked a global backlash as Belgium eliminated the hosts from the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the governing body’s disciplinary process on Monday after US President Donald Trump hailed as “brilliant” its decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card ban, fuelling accusations FIFA had bowed to political pressure before the reinstated forward failed to prevent a 4-1 defeat by Belgium.