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FIFA Lifts Balogun Suspension After Trump’s Intervention, Ethics Probe Launched

7/9/2026

32 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

After U.S. President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review Balogun’s suspension, FIFA lifted it on July 5, 2026.
He was dismissed on July 1 for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic and played in 4-1 loss to Belgium.
UEFA and Belgium’s FA, denied standing, called the reversal unprecedented and outcome astonishing.
The federation and 50 MEPs filed an ethics complaint demanding a probe Infantino for breaches, citing his friendship with Trump and a Peace Prize.

History

Historical Context

In May 2015 U.S. prosecutors indicted fourteen FIFA officials, exposing about $150 million in bribes and prompting Sepp Blatter’s resignation in December 2015. The scandal triggered arrests, ethics bans and calls for governance reform from UEFA and the European Parliament. That legacy of external interference resurfaced in July 2026 when President Donald Trump asked FIFA to reverse Balogun’s suspension.

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Story summary

After U.S. President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review Balogun’s suspension, FIFA lifted it on July 5, 2026.
He was dismissed on July 1 for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic and played in 4-1 loss to Belgium.
UEFA and Belgium’s FA, denied standing, called the reversal unprecedented and outcome astonishing.
The federation and 50 MEPs filed an ethics complaint demanding a probe Infantino for breaches, citing his friendship with Trump and a Peace Prize.

1 / 2