United States striker who received a suspended one-match ban after being sent off during the World Cup.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… He was worried about the Folarin Balogun red card situation at the World Cup and how Fifa appears to not have a clear red card review. …
Premier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup planJoy Online
… Among them were questions around the awarding of tournaments, the inaugural Fifa peace prize that was awarded to US President Donald Trump in December, and the overturning of a ban for American forward Folarin Balogun during the recent World Cup following a phone call from Trump …
Norway call for Infantino to resign as Mexico and Argentina back presidentJoy Online
… All the other recent controversies could not touch Infantino – from the way Saudi Arabia won the hosting rights to the 2034 World Cup, to US President Donald Trump’s Fifa Peace Prize, to Folarin Balogun’s escape from suspension at the World Cup. …
Infantino sorry for errors but stays Fifa presidentJoy Online
… They were involved in one of the controversial issues at the tournament when striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia but escaped a suspension following an intervention from US President Donald Trump. …
Pochettino agrees US manager contract extensionJoy Online
… Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest over a number of controversial moves, including US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the l …
FIFA offers $40m if nations back controversial planJoy Online
… Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final in protest against Fifa’s decision to overturn USA striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension after an intervention from Trump. …
Is World Cup sell-off plan a step too far by Infantino?Joy Online
… Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest over a number of controversial moves, including US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the l …
Fifa offers $40m if nations back controversial planJoy Online
… They included US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the last-16 encounter with Belgium.
UEFA World Cup boycott may be raised over FIFA planJoy Online
… Infantino also addressed criticism surrounding the standard of officiating at the tournament, in particular concerns about political interference after USA forward Folarin Balogun was made available for their last-16 tie when his one-match ban was suspended by Fifa – following th …
Infantino tells Fifa critics to ‘meditate, pray or watch football’Joy Online
… US President Donald Trump admitted during the World Cup that he had called Infantino to ask him to review a red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun. …
IOC says Infantino complaint outside its scopePremier League chief Richard Masters has criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to create a company managing World Cup commercial and ticketing rights with 21% sold to private investors, calling it a "self-inflicted wound." Masters backed the FA's withdrawal of support for Infantino and called for a new unity candidate for FIFA president.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Premier League chief Richard Masters has criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to create a company managing World Cup commercial and ticketing rights with 21% sold to private investors, calling it a "self-inflicted wound." Masters backed the FA's withdrawal of support for Infantino and called for a new unity candidate for FIFA president.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Norway's Football Federation has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, citing lack of institutional trust and concerns over World Cup privatization, tournament awards, and other governance issues. Mexico and Argentina have voiced their support for the 56-year-old, while England, Wales, Croatia, and Albania have withdrawn support without explicitly demanding his resignation.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised for "errors" in controversial proposals to sell stakes in competitions to private investors, but retained his position after receiving backing from FIFA's management board at a meeting in Morocco. UEFA and others had criticised the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal as opaque, but Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom sent a letter to FIFA members sincerely apologising and committing that such errors "will not happen again."
5 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to continue as manager of the United States men's team until 2030, with an expanded remit that includes advising on youth development, coaching education, and technical matters across US Soccer.
4 August 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written to 211 member associations offering $40m if they back his plan to sell stakes in major competitions, including the World Cup, with a 19 September deadline for access to an initial $20m. UEFA accused FIFA of using football to enrich themselves and their friends.
30 July 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA announced plans to sell off stakes in its football competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors associated with US President Donald Trump, which Infantino characterizes as democratisation of football but which has met criticism from fans, politicians and regional governing bodies. The plan would distribute $40m in funding to FIFA member associations, with a deadline of 19 September for federations to accept in order to access an initial $20m.
29 July 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations offering $40m in exchange for backing his plan to sell stakes in major competitions like the World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary. The plan, which could raise $10bn and has drawn quick condemnation from multiple regions, sets a 19 September deadline for nations to accept and receive an initial $20m.
29 July 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA's proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run major competitions including the World Cup and sell stakes to external investors has prompted UEFA's 55 member associations to call an emergency meeting to discuss a potential plan of action, including the possibility of a boycott.
29 July 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of spreading criticism about his leadership and the World Cup. He claimed FIFA delivered the "greatest event on earth" and praised the 2026 tournament's safety and unity, including Iran's participation, contradicting accounts from Iran's head coach who said his team were the "most oppressed" at the World Cup.
27 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The International Olympic Committee says a complaint by human rights group FairSquare about FIFA president Gianni Infantino breaching the Olympic Charter's political neutrality rules falls outside its scope and will not be investigated. The complaint alleged Infantino showed support for US President Donald Trump after Trump intervened to suspend a red card given to a US footballer during the World Cup.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee over the suspension of Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, which was suspended for 12 months after US President Donald Trump's intervention. Federation president Lise Klaveness said the decision to include the Balogun case in an existing inquiry about FIFA's peace prize award to Trump would be made at the federation's next board meeting.
24 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee over the decision to suspend US forward Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban after he received a straight red card, following an intervention by US President Donald Trump. The federation will decide on filing the complaint at its next board meeting.
24 July 2026 · Joy Online →
UEFA head Aleksander Ceferin skipped the World Cup final to protest FIFA's decisions, including suspending a red card for a US striker after President Trump's intervention and its handling of referee and team treatment issues during the tournament.
22 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for Fifa president Gianni Infantino to resign, claiming the world governing body is "destroying the football industry" and criticising his decisions on World Cup hydration breaks, the final's half-time interval, and other matters. Tebas acknowledged that Infantino has the support of national federations and that Fifa's election system makes his departure unlikely.
22 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, claiming FIFA is "destroying the football industry" and criticising decisions including World Cup hydration breaks and the final's half-time interval. Tebas acknowledged that Infantino has support from national federations and is expected to be re-elected at FIFA's March congress.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in protest against FIFA decisions, citing issues including US President Donald Trump's intervention in a suspension case and other changes driven by FIFA president Gianni Infantino such as extended half-time shows and a proposed 64-team World Cup format.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
United States striker Folarin Balogun says he expected FIFA's decision to suspend his one-game World Cup ban would generate "a lot of controversy," particularly after US President Donald Trump and White House officials lobbied football's governing body about the sanction. Balogun was dismissed for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina and should have received an automatic suspension, but FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended the ban for a year instead.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The head of Fifa's disciplinary committee declined to answer BBC questions about why US striker Folarin Balogun avoided a ban after being sent off for serious foul play, following reports that US President Donald Trump and White House officials lobbied Fifa on the matter. England's Jarell Quansah was handed a two-match ban for a similar red card offence in the same competition.
12 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Spain face Belgium in a World Cup quarter-final with Spain unbeaten in 35 matches under manager Luis de la Fuente, while Belgium advance after a 4-1 victory over the United States.
10 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
England defender Jarell Quansah received a two-match ban from Fifa's disciplinary committee for his red card in the 54th minute of a 3-2 win against Mexico, classified as serious foul play. He will miss Saturday's quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final, but will be available if England reaches the final on 19 July.
9 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Belgium defeated the United States 4–1, with Charles de Ketelaere scoring twice, knocking out the US as the third co-host eliminated from the World Cup. Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday.
8 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
Belgium thrashed the United States 4-1 in a World Cup knockout match, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice, Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku adding further goals to set up a quarterfinal against Spain and end the US campaign.
8 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Jurgen Klopp and other figures have called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign after the USA's Folarin Balogun, who was sent off in an earlier match, had his ban suspended by a FIFA disciplinary committee following reported intervention from Donald Trump. Klopp criticized the decision as political interference in football governance.
8 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in a World Cup last-16 match after Fifa suspended striker Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban shortly before the tie, a decision that drew criticism from Uefa, Belgium and England manager Thomas Tuchel, and others. Belgium players said the ruling gave them a sense of injustice that motivated their response on the pitch.
7 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Charles de Ketelaere scored twice as Belgium defeated the United States 4-1, knocking out the last remaining co-host from the World Cup. Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday.
7 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Football Association is considering whether to appeal England defender Jarell Quansah's red card from Sunday's 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico after the United States successfully had striker Folarin Balogun's suspension overturned through Fifa's article 27 clause, which allows the governing body to make decisions without meeting other criteria.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →
President Trump confirmed he asked FIFA to review US striker Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension, which was suspended for 12 months, allowing Balogun to play in the last-16 tie against Belgium. Trump said he spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and that he didn't believe the red card was a foul, but stressed he only asked for a review and did not pressure FIFA to make the decision.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the independence of FIFA's judicial structures following public debate over United States forward Folarin Balogun's suspension, confirming he spoke with President Trump about the matter but stressing that FIFA's disciplinary decisions are handled independently and cannot be influenced by external pressure.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →
President Trump said he personally asked FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the red card and one-game ban given to Team USA striker Folarin Balogun, saying he did not think it was a foul. FIFA subsequently announced Balogun would be eligible to play against Belgium, sparking controversy about tournament integrity.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →
President Donald Trump confirmed he asked FIFA to review US striker Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension, saying the governing body "made the right decision" to suspend the ban. Balogun, the US team's top scorer at the tournament, was cleared to play in the last-16 tie against Belgium after FIFA suspended his automatic one-game ban for 12 months on Monday.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →