FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the independent disciplinary committee’s decision to allow American striker Folarin Balogun to participate in the United States’ round of 16 match against Belgium.
Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in an automatic one-game ban, a huge blow for the hosts who lost their top scorer of the tournament.
But after FIFA, seemingly out of nowhere, decided to suspend the punishment, a maelstrom of criticism has descended on the governing body, its figurehead and US President Donald Trump.
For a tournament that was subject to constant criticism in the lead-up, it has been mostly sunny and festive since it began four weeks ago.
Now the biggest World Cup controversy has reignited all the old fears.
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Trump’s call for help
In his introductory press conference before the tournament, Infantino praised Trump.
“I have an excellent relationship with President Trump, I’m very happy about it. I met him during his first term and we work very closely now during his second term,” he said.
“Without his input and involvement … it would have been impossible to organize the World Cup in the United States.”
Last year, Gianni Infantino presented Donald Trump with the first FIFA World Prize. (Getty Images: Kevin Dietsch)
The relationship between the pair has long been under scrutiny, especially after Infantino called for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and then came up with the FIFA Peace Prize for him instead.
Now he has come under renewed criticism after Trump confirmed reports that he personally asked Infantino for help in overturning Balogun’s suspension.
“Everything I did, I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a violation,” he said.
FIFA’s own Code of Ethics states that it must remain politically neutral, so any suggestion of political interference is alarming.
In response, Infantino said that he regularly discusses World Cup issues with the president.
“During our conversation, I explained that a legal process is currently underway with the participation of the independent judicial bodies of FIFA and that a decision on this case will be made in due course by the competent authorities,” Infantino said in a statement.
“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes they surprise me. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I disagree.
“However, I always respect these decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them.”
Folarin Balogun was shown a red card after VAR reviewed his foul on Tarik Muharemovic. (Getty Images: Michael Steele)
This is unlikely to be the first time political leaders have gotten involved in sports matters.
But Infantino has long supported FIFA’s political neutrality, and despite his insistence that the process was completely independent, the lack of transparency around it makes it difficult for the football ecosystem and the general public to understand exactly what happened.
There are still so many questions.
When did the disciplinary committee decide to reconsider the suspension? Who was involved in the decision? And what were the reasons for this?
Until FIFA gives a concrete answer, the mud will continue.
Gianni Infantino says he has a good relationship with Donald Trump. (Reuters)
Up until this point, Trump had been unusually quiet during the World Cup, uncharacteristically staying out of the spotlight.
He has not yet attended the game, although he is expected to attend the final in New Jersey.
And he has rarely spoken publicly about the tournament since it began until now.
He claims his call was a simple request and not a demand supported by Infantino.
And while many American fans are delighted, the rest of the football world is largely stunned by this divine intervention to aid the hosts in their bid to continue fighting.
A cloud hangs over the USA
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken reacted incredibly animatedly and decisively.
“I think this is a big mistake by FIFA,” he said after Norway’s victory over Brazil.
“What about the next red card? What happens next? Will there be a committee somewhere that will take this card?”
“Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. I also feel sorry for the United States because if they win, it will always hang in the balance.”
Thomas Tuchel was among several managers puzzled by the decision. (Getty: Mark Atkins)
England coach Thomas Tuchel was equally puzzled when speaking after England’s win over Mexico.
“First of all, to be clear, it was not a red card. But VAR got involved and apparently three VAR people and the referee checked it (and) concluded it was a red card. So, the decision has been made,” he said.
“Who then and when cancels this decision? And on what grounds? And…how far does this go now? So it’s just weird to me. We just want to have consistency in decisions.”
In a statement, UEFA expressed distrust at “such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustified decision.”
Folarin Balogun was excited to train with his teammates ahead of the game. (Getty Images: Jamie Squire)
Some support the decision, such as Fox Sports USA pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who said the ends justify the means.
“First of all, you shouldn’t get a red card,” he said.
“They should have been quicker with that call then, but I’m happy for Team USA because Team USA was amazing, but Balo was just amazing and with that comes extra strength.”
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino had a similar opinion.
“We were punished enough against Bosnia and Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 35 minutes and the decision was completely unfair,” he said.
“But it’s not just because I’m the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team (and) I have to protect my team. And just because I think that… 99.9 percent of us all agree that it was an unfair card.”
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But these arguments miss the main point: many decisions in the game can be wrong.
Even with all the technologies now at the disposal of officials, and perhaps even because of them, in some cases mistakes will be made.
Whether Balogun deserved a red card is largely irrelevant.
If FIFA had an open and transparent appeals process, that would be the most appropriate way for this saga to unfold.
Instead, the governing body announced its decision without providing any information about what actually happened other than assurances of its independence, while the host nation’s president confirmed that he was weighing in on the matter.
The political machinations will require further analysis, but it will also lead to calls for FIFA to review its current processes.
“I didn’t actually think it was a red card and I think there should be a process to get it overturned,” former England international Gary Neville told ITV.
“But if there is no process to override it, then somehow FIFA, out of nowhere, just decided to let the player play and the rules (should be) the same for everyone.”
Fellow expert Ian Wright called the situation “disgraceful”.
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The history of the USMNT and the USA as co-hosts of the tournament has been overwhelmingly positive.
There was huge sympathy for Balogun for missing the game and praise for the way he handled it.
Through no fault of his own, many will likely turn on him and the team with a sense of injustice and favoritism towards the host nation.
If the Americans actually win against Belgium, rather than a happy story about how the Stars and Stripes exceeded expectations in a country where soccer is far down the pecking order, there will always be an asterisk next to the result.