Trump thanks Fifa for overturning USA striker's ban

Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa.

The 25-year-old star striker, who is the US's top scorer at the tournament with three goals, was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0 .

Fifa said the automatic one-match ban would be suspended for a year. No reasoning behind the move was provided, beyond citing a rule which allows punishments to be suspended.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it is "astonished" by Fifa's decision and is "investigating all potential options" in response.

"In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," world governing body Fifa said in a statement.

"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for "reversing a great injustice" in a post on Truth Social.

Trump, a friend of Gianni Infantino, wrote: "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

AFP and Reuters are reporting that Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino earlier this week to ask for the red card to be reviewed. The BBC has not yet confirmed these reports.

USA forward Christian Pulisic said the squad learned the one-game ban had been suspended on the bus to training on Sunday and said Balogun was "super happy".

Pulisic added: "Just a big smile on his face and all of ours. The foul wasn't what it was, it was harsh."

The RBFA pointed out all previous red cards issued at this World Cup have automatically resulted in a suspension and that Fifa's decision is in "direct contradiction" of the competition regulations, which were "explicitly reaffirmed" by the governing body to all participating nations in May.

It added: "In 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."

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who had demanded the decision be reviewed.

Asked about the USA's World Cup performance during a news conference, Rubio said: "It was great. They got screwed with that red card.

"There needs to be an appeal process for that. It's probably too late for that."

More broadly in the US, there has been much disquiet from fans about the red card for one of their star players. Many media outlets have questioned the decision and the way football applies its rules - in terms of having to leave the field of play after a red card, and then being banned for a future match.

Balogun has been a key figure for the US at the World Cup, scoring twice for Mauricio Pochettino's side as they began their campaign with a 4-1 win against Paraguay .

The former Arsenal forward also opened the scoring against Bosnia before getting sent off in the 64th minute after a tussle with Muharemovic for a looping ball.

As Balogun attempted to shield the ball Muharemovic managed to get in front of him, and as the forward's boot returned to the ground it landed on the back of the Bosnian's ankle, causing it to twist.

Brazilian referee Raphael Claus brandished the red card after he was sent to the pitchside monitor to watch a super slow-motion replay of the incident by the video assistant referee (VAR).

According to Fifa regulations, a red card "automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match" but the governing body "may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures".

During the group stages of the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his one-match suspension increased to five matches for his foul on Canada's Ismael Kone, who was left with a broken leg.

But there is recent precedent for Fifa suspending a World Cup ban.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in his country's opening match of the tournament despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland during the World Cup qualifiers.

The 41-year-old was sent off for an elbow to Dara O'Shea's back during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat in November and initially received a three-match ban.

But after sitting out a game against Armenia, Fifa suspended the remainder of the ban for a year on 25 November, allowing Ronaldo to feature in Portugal's opening two World Cup matches.

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Analysis - 'Question now is how decision was made'

On Thursday, Balogun became the 12th player to receive a red card at this World Cup.

He will be the first not to serve a suspension.

Fifa's decision to, effectively, overturn his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina is remarkable.

Unlike in the Premier League, there is no appeal process against a red card at the World Cup. It is a process intended to protect the integrity of the referee.

Many will point to Cristiano Ronaldo only serving one match of a three-game ban after being sent off for violent conduct in qualifying.

That is fair, but there are many examples of Fifa showing clemency before the start of a tournament.

This is different. This is a red card at the World Cup.

All of a sudden, the host nation's star player is available for a crucial knockout game. There was a media frenzy in the US to get it overturned.

And that means the real question now is, how was the decision made? Fifa is giving no details.

Trump has thanked Fifa on social media, saying a "great injustice" has been reversed.

Given the well established close relationship between the White House and Fifa, questions will be asked of the highly unusual decision in favour of the co-hosts.

Take Qatar's Madibo, sent off for a challenge that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Kone.

It looked like an unfortunate accident, but Madibo was given a five-match ban.

It leaves the impression that Fifa is making things up as it goes along.

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