Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Folarin Balogun's red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1. Four days later, the card was overturned. Balogun played against Belgium on July 6. Make of that what you will.
Trump didn't hide it. "I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," he told reporters at the Oval Office. His read was two players colliding, not a deliberate foul. Maybe he's right. But the problem isn't the conclusion — it's the process. A sitting head of state calling the governing body of a sport to influence a disciplinary ruling, and the ruling reversing days later, is not a good look for anyone involved.
The Royal Belgian Football Association wasn't buying it either. After requesting a copy of FIFA's decision, they were told a judge had been appointed — and given only a few hours to complete their appeal. FIFA dismissed it before kick-off. Belgium promised to "fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole." Strong words. Whether they lead anywhere is another matter.
This is not a new story for FIFA
The relationship between Trump and Infantino adds an uncomfortable layer. Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last year — after Trump was passed over for the Nobel he'd sought. That's the backdrop to a phone call that supposedly influenced a World Cup disciplinary outcome.
But zoom out, and this is just the latest entry in a decades-long ledger of FIFA misconduct. The highlights — if you can call them that — include:
- The 1966 "Wembley Debacle," where an Argentine captain refused to leave after being sent off, leading to a chaotic match full of spitting and rough tackles. The fine was $150. Yellow and red cards were introduced in 1970 as a direct response.
- The João Havelange era (1974–1998), when TV money and marketing revenue flooded FIFA's accounts alongside allegations of kickbacks and vote-trading for World Cup hosting rights. The World Cup expanded from 16 to 32 teams during his tenure.
- The 2001 collapse of marketing firm International Sport and Leisure, which exposed illicit payments to sports officials.
- A 47-count U.S. Department of Justice indictment in 2015 charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. Swiss authorities made arrests in Zurich. Sepp Blatter resigned. Secretary-General Jérôme Valcke was suspended and eventually banned. Multiple former officials were convicted in U.S. courts and served prison time.
- The 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) World Cup hosting decisions, later found to have involved six FIFA executive committee members suspended after being offered cash for votes.
What this means beyond the Balogun decision
The Belgian federation's complaint will likely disappear into FIFA's appeals machinery, producing nothing actionable before the tournament is over. That's how these things tend to go. The institution has survived indictments, prison sentences, and international investigations — a diplomatic protest from Brussels isn't going to move the needle.
For anyone tracking the U.S.'s odds deep into this tournament, Balogun's availability matters. He's their top goal scorer and the focal point of their attack. Without him against Belgium, the dynamics shift considerably. With him back, the U.S. are a different proposition going forward.
As for FIFA's credibility on disciplinary independence — the RBFA put it plainly: they'll be fighting this for "hours, days and months." Don't hold your breath waiting for FIFA to agree with them.
