Story perspectives

Balogun Suspension Lifted After Trump Calls FIFA

7/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on July 1 to request a review of Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee lifted Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban on July 5, clearing him for the match against Belgium.
U.S. Soccer said it accepts the ruling and welcomes Balogun’s availability for the Belgium game.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social thanking FIFA for “doing what was right” and reversing a “great injustice.”

History

Historical Context

In 1976, after the Soweto uprising, FIFA expelled the all-white Football Association of South Africa (FASA) over apartheid, a move confirmed by an 78-to-9 council vote. The decision built on earlier suspensions in 1961 and 1964 that had already isolated South African football. Mandela’s ANC and the UN had long pressured FIFA, showing how global politics began shaping sport governance.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on July 1 to request a review of Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee lifted Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban on July 5, clearing him for the match against Belgium.
U.S. Soccer said it accepts the ruling and welcomes Balogun’s availability for the Belgium game.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social thanking FIFA for “doing what was right” and reversing a “great injustice.”

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