Labour MP Angela Rayner has voiced criticism of former President Donald Trump's involvement in a FIFA decision concerning a red card issued to USA player Folarin Balogun. Rayner asserted that the Football Association should have ignored pressure from the U.S. president.
Trump had publicly praised FIFA's decision to overturn Balogun's suspension, which allowed him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium. This intervention followed a personal call from Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, the decision has drawn condemnation from UEFA, European football's governing body, which described it as 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.' Belgium has also filed an appeal.
Balogun received a straight red card during the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a previous round. He was initially set to miss the subsequent match against Belgium. FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun's ban for a one-year probationary period, meaning it would only be reinstated if he committed another offense of similar severity.
The football association provided a brief explanation for its decision, citing Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, which allows for the suspension of disciplinary measures. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, thanked FIFA for 'doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice.'
During a radio interview, Rayner stated that the original punishment for Balogun was appropriate and that Trump's involvement was unfair. "I don't think that's the way we should do it," she said. Rayner added that reversing a valid red card decision because a "powerful person" demands it undermines fairness and the spirit of the game.
UEFA, in a formal statement, condemned FIFA's move, calling the suspension of the ban a 'red line.' The organization emphasized that automatic one-match suspensions following red cards are a fundamental principle of the regulations and not subject to exceptions, especially mid-tournament.
FIFA has appointed an arbitrator from its Appeal Committee to review Belgium's case, but the timeline is tight. Balogun was originally sent off for a tackle during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.