Fury as FIFA lifts ban on USA player Balogun after Trump intervention

By SBS News

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FIFA cleared star USA striker Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup co-hosts' showdown with Belgium despite his red-card ban after a personal phone call from United States President Donald Trump, igniting a furious row that has rocked the tournament. Balogun had been set to miss Tuesday's Round of 16 knockout clash with Belgium after receiving a straight red card following video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a Round of 32 clash that the USA won 2-0. Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player's team. But world football's governing body said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered. SBS News is Australia's trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world. Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.co

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