FIFA is reportedly preparing to revisit its rules governing red-card suspensions, months after U.S. forward Folarin Balogun became eligible to play in a World Cup match despite receiving a red card in the preceding game. The reported review is expected at a meeting of FIFA officials on Thursday, according to the supplied report. The material does not provide details of any proposed rule changes or establish that FIFA has adopted them.
Balogun was sent off during the United States men’s team’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The red card would ordinarily have kept him out of the next match, against Belgium. However, his suspension was lifted the day before that game, making him eligible to play. The U.S. lost to Belgium, 4-1. The source describes the original red card as questionable, but does not provide a governing-body explanation for the decision to lift the suspension.
Trump said he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested a review. In remarks quoted by the source, Trump said he believed the incident involved two players colliding rather than a foul, and said he did not instruct Infantino how to act. Trump also said he understood a committee, rather than Infantino personally, made the decision to clear Balogun to play. The supplied material does not identify the committee or independently detail its process.
Balogun told CBS, according to the report, that he could sense some nervousness among teammates as the controversy developed. The article does not give further context for his comment or say that the dispute changed the match outcome.
The reported rules discussion is part of a wider set of issues facing FIFA. The source says Infantino, eight vice presidents and 28 additional members are expected to attend the meeting, described as their first gathering since the World Cup. It also notes that Trump received FIFA’s first Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington during the World Cup final draw in December, and says that award is also due for review at Thursday’s meeting. The source does not specify what the review will cover or whether FIFA plans to change the prize.
Another controversy cited in the report concerns FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company proposal that FIFA reportedly outlined nine days after the World Cup final. The plan would have allowed private investors to purchase shares in the World Cup, according to the source. It says the proposal drew criticism, was rejected and was then withdrawn. No further details about the proposal or the objections are provided.
