Source: Politics<\/p>\n
BRUSSELS \u2014 Belgian politicians and soccer officials were outraged Sunday after FIFA ditched a one-match ban for American star Folarin Balogun that would have ruled him out of the U.S.-Belgium World Cup round-of-16 matchup on Monday.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump immediately thanked FIFA on his Truth Social platform after the controversial decision was announced, for \u201cfor doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d Shortly after FIFA\u2019s bombshell, the New York Times reported that Trump has called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun\u2019s suspension.<\/p>\n
Balogun was originally suspended for one match after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the first knockout round. While many soccer pundits thought the red card was harsh, there is little precedent for a player not serving a further suspension after being ordered off during a tournament.<\/p>\n
In a statement Sunday, the world soccer governing body said: \u201cIn line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Belgian football association said it was \u201castonished\u201d by the decision to overturn the suspension. \u201cIn order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,\u201d the association noted.<\/p>\n
Senior politicians from across Belgium reacted with bafflement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue strength lies in winning with fair play (and by following all the rules). That\u2019s what Belgium will do tomorrow. Full support for the Royal Belgian FA, which announced tonight that it is exploring all possibilities to protect the legitimate rights of all participants as well as the fundamental principles of fair play that govern soccer during this World Cup,\u201d said Jacqueline Galant, Walloon sports minister from the French-speaking liberal Reformist Movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cShame on you! When money calls the shots, the World Cup loses all credibility. Adapting the rules to please Trump, trying to cheat to win\u2014what a deplorable image for FIFA, for the soccer World Cup, and for the United States. Rules must be respected by everyone, in sports as in life,\u201d the opposition Socialist party said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmazing how a red card suddenly becomes \u2018unjust\u2019 when Trump gets involved … FIFA must defend fairness, not give the impression of yielding to political pressures. See you on the pitch: the Devils’ victory will be all the more valuable,\u201d added Yvan Verougstraete, a member of the European Parliament and president of the Francophone centrist Les Engag\u00e9s party.<\/p>\n
Camille Gijs contributed to this report.<\/p>\n