NYTIMES (Ali Watkins) - Belgium Expresses Shock After FIFA Lifts U.S. Player’s Suspension
The American striker Folarin Balogun is eligible to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday night after soccer officials reversed his one-game ban.
NPR (Becky Sullivan) - The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call
The U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is expected to start against Belgium in a Round of 16 match after a surprise decision by FIFA to allow him to play despite receiving a red card last week.
NEWSNATIONNOW (RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press) - FIFA lifts US player Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, the American leader with three goals, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle [...]
AXIOS (Rebecca Falconer) - Trump official sought FIFA review of Balogun red card
A Trump administration official asked FIFA to review U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red card, a source familiar with the matter tells Axios. Why it matters: Direct intervention by a U.S. administration official in a FIFA disciplinary case would be highly unusual, and the reversal of Balogun's one-match suspension allows him to play in the knockout stage. The big picture: The episode underscores the extraordinary level of White House interest in the U.S. men's national team's World Cup run and raises questions about political involvement in international sports governance. Driving the news: The New York Times reported Sunday that President Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, though the source did not identify who contacted…
NYTIMES (Tyler Pager and Tariq Panja) - Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s Suspension. He Is Now Eligible to Play.
The reversal is highly unusual and the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game when they would have been suspended.
NPR (Kristin Wright) - Folarin Balogun's soccer ban suspended by FIFA, allowing U.S. striker to play Belgium
U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun has had his World Cup ban suspended by FIFA, making him free to play in the United States' round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.
ABCNEWS - US World Cup star Folarin Balogun's red card ban suspended ahead of Belgium match
Balogun was given a red card and automatically suspended for one game last week after clashing with an opposing player's foot.
AXIOS (Andrew Pantazi) - FIFA clears Balogun for USMNT's Belgium match
U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun can play against Belgium in Monday's World Cup match after FIFA suspended his one-game ban , according to multiple media outlets. Why it matters: Win Monday, and the U.S. reaches the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Balogun, the breakout scorer of the Americans' best tournament run in a generation, had been set to miss the make-or-break match before FIFA reversed course. Driving the news: The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, first reported the reprieve. - FIFA and U.S. Soccer didn't immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment. Catch up quick: The U.S. won its group with eight goals and six points, its best ever group-stage performance, beating Paraguay and Australia…
ABCNEWS - WATCH: What’s next for USMNT?
The U.S. men's national team will face Belgium Monday night without leading scorer Folarin Balogun after he was sent off with a red card in Wednesday’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ABCNEWS - US soccer coach responds to World Cup red card suspension
U.S. men's soccer striker Folarin Balogun got a red card against Bosnia and automatic suspension for the next match against Belgium in World Cup round of 16.