Banned former FIFA president criticizes organization’s decision on Folarin Balogun

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter reacted to the soccer organization’s decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban ahead of the squad’s match against Belgium.

Blatter was banned twice by FIFA after a corruption investigation and remains suspended from participating in organization activities until 2027. Current FIFA President Gianni Infantino ultimately replaced Blatter as the head.

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FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter greets the USA team prior to their 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup match against North Korea at Chengdu Sports Center Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. (CSPA / USA TODAY Sports)

Balogun received a red card during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the ankle of a defender while trying to corral a ball. The card was issued after a VAR review. Amid the uproar, a source told Fox News that President Donald Trump called Infantino and asked that FIFA review the play. On Sunday, the reversal was announced.

“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote on X. “They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?

“Football must never become a playground for political power.”

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Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates after scoring the USMNT’s third goal in the first half of Group Stage, Group D match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis.

It’s unclear how much FIFA took the approach into account.

Belgium reportedly was granted the right to appeal the decision and asked FIFA for a comprehensive explanation on why the suspension was put off.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s ruling.

“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator. “The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision.”

Folarin Balogun of the U.S. is consoled by teammates Giovanni Reyna and Timothy Weah after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Carlos Barria / Reuters via Imagn Images)

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UEFA also said that FIFA’s decision “crossed a red line.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.