Lead

A phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino preceded FIFA's decision to lift the red-card suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in Monday's World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision, which came after Balogun was shown a red card in the US match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, has drawn sharp criticism from European football bodies and raised questions about political influence in the sport.

FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday, and Balogun took the field in Seattle, where the US was eliminated with a 4-1 loss to Belgium. The decision appeared to be the first time since 1962 that punishment for a World Cup offence was suspended during the tournament, according to reports.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the events highlighted the unusual nature of the decision and the involvement of the US president. Africa News framed the story around the controversy sparked by FIFA's move, emphasising concerns about political influence in football. Al Jazeera also focused on the political meddling angle, describing the series of events as "unprecedented" and "embarrassing." The South China Morning Post reported on the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup coming under attack from European football leaders.

All three outlets reported that Trump asked Infantino to review Balogun's suspension, and that FIFA subsequently lifted it. They also noted that the Belgian football federation challenged the decision, and that UEFA described it as an "incomprehensible" breach of football's rule of law.

Al Jazeera reported that Trump denied directly influencing FIFA's decision, saying he asked for a review but did not tell Infantino what to do. The South China Morning Post quoted Infantino as acknowledging he took the call from Trump before Balogun was cleared to play.

Key claims

  • Donald Trump asked FIFA's president to review Folarin Balogun's game suspension. Trump took credit for getting FIFA to review the red card but said he did not demand an outcome, as reported by Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.
  • FIFA lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the World Cup match against Belgium, according to Africa News, Al Jazeera, and the South China Morning Post. The US lost 4-1, and Balogun was in the lineup, as reported by Africa News.
  • The Belgian football federation challenged FIFA's decision, with the Royal Belgian Football Association saying it had "no alternative but to challenge Balogun's eligibility for the upcoming match," according to Al Jazeera.
  • UEFA described the decision as an "incomprehensible" breach of football's rule of law, as reported by the South China Morning Post and Africa News.
  • FIFA's appeals committee dismissed Belgium's legal challenge less than eight hours before kickoff, saying Belgium had no standing to challenge the decision, according to the South China Morning Post and Africa News.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in Portugal's opening World Cup game despite getting a red card, as reported by Africa News. This claim was not included in other outlets' coverage.
  • Thomas Tuchel, England head coach, jokingly suggested that Donald Trump could help overturn defender Jarell Quansah's red card suspension, according to Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

FIFA: Gianni Infantino denied having a role in the decision to lift Balogun's suspension, according to Africa News. FIFA's appeals committee dismissed Belgium's challenge, stating that the Belgian football body "is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision," as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Belgian Football Association: The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "deeply concerned by the course of events" and vowed to "continue 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," according to Al Jazeera.

UEFA: The European football body said FIFA "crossed a red line" and called the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," as reported by Africa News and the South China Morning Post.

Donald Trump: The US President said he asked Infantino to review the suspension but did not tell him what to do. He called the red card a "horrible" call and took credit for getting FIFA to review it, but denied demanding an outcome, as reported by Al Jazeera and Africa News.