Severe blowback over FIFA's 'shameful, incomprehensible' Balogun decision

World Cup: 'Shameful', incomprehensible': Severe blowback over FIFA's opaque Balogun decision

Folarin Balogun was initially suspended for the USA's round of 16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in the previous game. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the independent disciplinary committee's decision to clear American striker Folarin Balogun to play in the USA's Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which automatically triggered a one-game ban, a huge blow for the co-hosts to lose their leading tournament goalscorer.

But after FIFA, seemingly out of nowhere, decided to suspend that punishment, a maelstrom of criticism has been unleashed at the governing body, its figurehead, and US President Donald Trump.

For a tournament that faced consistent criticism in the lead-up, it has largely been a sunny, celebratory affair since kicking off four weeks ago.

Now, the World Cup's biggest controversy has reignited all those previous concerns.

In his opening press conference before the tournament, Infantino spoke highly of Trump.

"I have a great relationship with President Trump, I'm very happy about that. I got to know him during his first mandate, and we have been working very closely together now in his second term," he said.

"Without his engagement and his involvement … it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States."

Gianni Infantino awarded Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last year. (Getty Images: Kevin Dietsch)

The relationship between the pair has long been scrutinised, most notably after Infantino called for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, then invented the FIFA Peace Prize for him instead.

It is now under fire again, after Trump confirmed reports that he personally asked Infantino for assistance in overturning Balogun's suspension.

"All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn't think it was a foul," he said.

FIFA's own Code of Ethics says it must remain politically neutral, so any suggestion of political interference is alarming.

Infantino has responded, stating he regularly discusses World Cup matters with the president.

"During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," Infantino's statement said.

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them."

Folarin Balogun was given a red card after VAR reviewed his foul on Tarik Muharemovic. (Getty Images: Michael Steele)

This would hardly be the first time political leaders have become entangled in sporting matters.

But Infantino has long stood by FIFA's political neutrality, and despite his insistence that the process was completely independent, the lack of transparency around it makes it difficult for the football ecosystem and wider public to understand exactly what transpired.

There are still so many questions.

When did the disciplinary committee decide to review the suspension? Who was involved in making the decision? And what were the reasons behind it?

Until FIFA answers with the specifics, the mudslinging will continue.

Gianni Infantino says he has a good relationship with Donald Trump. (Reuters)

Up to this point, Trump had been unusually quiet during this World Cup, uncharacteristically staying out of the spotlight.

He has not yet attended a game, though he is expected to attend the final in New Jersey.

And he has rarely spoken publicly about the tournament since it started, until now.

He claims his call was a simple enquiry, not a demand, a claim backed up by Infantino.

And while many American supporters are elated, the rest of the footballing world is largely gobsmacked at this divine intervention to help the co-hosts in their quest to carry on.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken was incredibly animated and emphatic in his reaction.

"I think it's a big mistake by FIFA," he said after Norway's victory over Brazil.

"What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there going to be a committee somewhere that is going to take that card away?

"Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. I feel also sorry for the United States, because if they win, that will always hang in the balance for it."

Thomas Tuchel was among several managers baffled by the decision. (Getty: Marc Atkins)

England manager Thomas Tuchel was equally baffled, speaking after England's win over Mexico.

"First of all, to be very clear, it was not a red card. But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee ⁠checked it [and] were then of the opinion that it was a red card. So, it's a decision that's made," he said.

"Who overturns this decision then and when? And on what grounds? And … how far does this go now? So, it's just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions."

In a statement, UEFA expressed disbelief "at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision".

Folarin Balogun was happy to be training with his teammates ahead of the game. (Getty Images: Jamie Squire)

There are some who support the decision, like Fox Sports USA pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who said the end justifies the means.

"First of all, you should not get a red card," he said.

"Then they should have come quicker with this call, but I'm happy for the US team, because the US team has been amazing, but Balo has been super amazing, and with him is an extra force."

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino had similar sentiments.

"We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men, 35 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair," he said.

"But it's not only because I am the head coach of the US men's national team, [and] I need to defend my side. It's only because I think it's … 99.9 per cent that we all agree that it was an unfair card."

But these arguments miss the central point: many decisions in a game may be incorrect.

Even with all the technology at officials’ disposal now, or maybe even because of it in some cases, mistakes will be made.

Whether Balogun deserved the red card is irrelevant in many ways.

If FIFA had an open, transparent appeals process, then that would have been the most appropriate avenue for this saga to play out.

Instead, the governing body announced its decision without providing any insight into what actually occurred, except for assurances it was independent, while the president of a co-host nation confirmed he weighed in on the matter.

The political machinations will need further dissection, but this will also lead to calls for FIFA to overhaul its current processes.

"I actually didn't think it was a red card, and I think there should be a process which allows it to be overturned," former England player Gary Neville said on ITV.

"But if there's no process for it to be overturned, and then somehow FIFA from nowhere have just decided to basically let a player play, and the rules [should be] the same for everybody."

Fellow pundit Ian Wright labelled the situation "shameful".

The story of the USMNT and the US as co-host had been overwhelmingly positive during the tournament.

There was immense sympathy for Balogun for having to miss this game, and praise for the way he had handled it.

Through no fault of his own, many will likely turn on him and the team with a sense of injustice and favouritism for a co-host nation.

If the Americans do go on to win against Belgium, rather than the feel-good story of the Stars and Stripes exceeding expectations in a country where football lies well down the pecking order, there will forever be an asterisk next to the result.