Folarin Balogun has acknowledged that he fully expected FIFA’s decision to waive his World Cup suspension would spark significant backlash.
The 25-year-old Monaco striker was permitted to feature in the United States’ last-16 encounter with Belgium after football’s governing body chose to suspend his one-match ban for twelve months.
“My initial reaction was that I was happy to be back in the team but when I started to reflect, I knew it was going to start a lot of controversy and I could almost see within my team-mates a bit of nerves because it is something that is so unique,” Balogun told CBS.
Balogun had been dismissed for serious foul play during the Americans’ 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, an offence that ordinarily carries an automatic suspension.
Folarin Balogun played against Belgium despite being sent off in the previous round
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REUTERS
Yet FIFA’s disciplinary committee took the unusual step of suspending his ban for a year, enabling him to take his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup against Belgium.
The ruling drew fierce criticism across the football world, with UEFA describing it as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.
Condemnation intensified after reports emerged that President Donald Trump and White House officials had directly lobbied FIFA regarding the American forward’s sanction.
The striker discovered he would be eligible to play while travelling with the squad, news that prompted an eruption of celebration.
“When we found out on the team bus, everyone was screaming and shouting. It was a pretty intense bus ride to the practice field,” Balogun recalled.
Folarin Balogun scored three goals for USA at this summer’s World Cup | GETTY
Given the exceptional nature of avoiding an immediate suspension following a straight red card, the forward had been excluded from initial tactical preparations.
“It was confusing as the team was practising without me in the team. I almost played a supporting role to keep the morale high,” he explained.
Balogun admitted the external scrutiny proved challenging to block out as the match approached.
Fifa chief Gianni Infantino spoke to Donald Trump over the phone to discuss Folarin Balogun’s suspension | REUTERS
“The closer we got to the game, I focused the best I could but it was difficult. The outside noise is hard to avoid,” he said.
The Americans ultimately fell 4-1 to Belgium, bringing their tournament to an end as the final co-host nation to exit following Canada and Mexico’s earlier eliminations.
Belgium had lodged a formal protest against Balogun’s participation, but FIFA rejected the challenge and confirmed his eligibility.
The decision stood in stark contrast to the treatment of England defender Jarell Quansah, who received a two-match suspension after being sent off for serious foul play against Mexico, with FIFA adding an extra game to his automatic ban.
