FIFA’s World Cup descended into farce on Sunday – after the extraordinary decision to suspend a one-match ban for a US player.

In a move which further fueled allegations of cronyism between himself and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump was quick to hail the staggering let-off for the co hosts’ key striker Folarin Balogun, who is now free to face Belgium in the last 16 despite being red-carded in the US’s previous match against Bosnia.

Moments after the announcement President Trump thanked Fifa for ‘reversing a great injustice’ in a post on Truth Social.

Trump, a close friend of Infantino, wrote: ‘Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’

Meanwhile, a FIFA statement read: ‘In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

‘If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.’

FIFA have suspended the one-game ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun earlier this week

The striker was sent off for a tackle during their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday morning to praise FIFA for ‘doing what was right’ 

Trump’s post sparked major speculation on social media that he had some involvement in FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s ban, which was further fueled by a social media post from Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy.

Hours before FIFA’s decision was confirmed, Portnoy had posted on X: ‘Davey Pitch’s futbul [sic] sources are saying a certain red card may be soon overturned’. 

Then, once news of Balogun’s suspended ban broke, the Barstool Sports boss returned to social media to hint that Trump did in fact play a part in the decision.

Alongside a doctored image of Portnoy and Trump standing together, with ‘US Soccer’ caps on, he wrote: ‘Alot of people are asking me how this red card got reversed. What happened behind the scenes? Who got it done? 

‘Who were my sources that made me confident enough to stake my entire reputation on this Davey Pitch bomb. Well a great journalist never reveals their sources. Sorry’.

In response to FIFA’s decision, the USMNT said on Sunday: ‘We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. 

‘Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.’ 

The Daily Mail understands that the USMNT were informed about the decision on Sunday morning, before Balogun was told at a team meeting shortly afterwards. 

The decision to show Balogun a straight red card sparked widespread fury on social media

‘I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional,’ Balogun had said

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pictured alongside Donald Trump last month

Balogun broke his silence on the matter in the days that followed the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting that he felt a yellow card would’ve been fair.

‘First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I’m sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call,’ he told reporters on Friday. 

‘I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There’s not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it’s happened, and it’s something that I have to accept and move forward from.’ 

Reacting to the news on Sunday, USA star Christian Pulisic said: ‘We found out about it just coming over here, so yeah, at first you’re like, oh, really? Like, is this real? 

‘And like, oh, this is great news. Obviously, we’re just happy to have [him]’.

Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s tournament regulations, the dismissal automatically carries a mandatory one-game suspension.

Multiple FIFA officials had previously confirmed that national teams are prohibited from formally appealing red cards or the subsequent disciplinary sanctions.

However, the governing body’s judicial committee utilized a rare stipulation within Article 27 of the disciplinary code to circumvent the immediate ban.

The specific regulation allows the committee to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

Hours before the news was official, Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy posted this on X 

Once Balogun’s suspended ban was confirmed, Portnoy returned to X with this post – hinting that US President Trump played a role in FIFA’s decision

It serves as a massive boost to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the game

The disciplinary body recently applied the exact same probationary regulation to Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the tournament.

The forward was initially facing a ban following a violent conduct dismissal during a World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland in November 2025.

Ronaldo was sent off after catching defender Dara O’Shea with a trailing elbow during a 2-0 defeat in Dublin.

However, after the Portugal captain served a one-game suspension during the team’s subsequent 9-1 victory over Armenia, FIFA intervened.

The governing body suspended the final two matches of the ban under a one-year probation period, clearing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to lead his country from the start of the current tournament.