FIFA has suspended the ban on US striker Folarin Balogun on probation. The forward had originally been suspended for several matches after a red card. Now he is allowed to play in the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium. According to a commentary by Sportschau, the decision appears to be an act of clemency under pressure from US Donald Trump.
For weeks, Trump had ignored the World Cup on home soil. As soon as the news of the suspension broke, Trump thanked FIFA on his platform Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice.” The White House posted the battle cry “USA-USA-USA” on X. Whether Trump actually called FIFA Gianni Infantino to demand a review is not documented. But Trump left no doubt that he wanted to create the impression that the decision was made at his behest.
A System of Favors
FIFA rules stipulate a minimum one-match ban for a foul like Balogun’s. However, the disciplinary committee can alter the penalty – a loophole that was now used. Formally correct, but politically motivated, according to the commentary. Infantino has thus done Trump another favor. The list of mutual overtures is long: FIFA rents an office in Trump Tower in New York, Infantino accompanied Trump on state visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, sat on Trump’s “Peace Council,” and gave him a winner’s medal at the Club World Cup final. The highlight was the award of a specially created FIFA Peace Prize to Trump after he failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The reason for the closeness is simple: money. FIFA expects record revenues of up to 14 billion US dollars from the World Cup. Trump provides the stage, Infantino provides the favors. The world governing body with its 211 member associations benefits massively from these revenues, and Infantino has been able to rise to become an autocratic ruler who neither tolerates nor experiences dissent.
Criticism from Belgium – and a Problem
The Belgian association, whose team plays against the USA in the quarter-final, said it was “astonished” by the decision and called it an April Fools’ joke. The German Football Association (DFB) had not clearly taken a position until recently, criticizes Sportschau. The commentary ends with a grim prognosis: “We must now fear for football.” Infantino is up for re-election next year – no one expects any opposing votes.
Source: www.sportschau.de
