England beat Mexico 3-2; Balogun suspension reversed by FIFA
England secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico to reach the quarter-finals, while FIFA controversially overturned the suspension of striker Balogun following Donald Trump's intervention.
The Belgian FA has expressed astonishment at the decision to reverse Balogun's suspension for a red card, following three phone calls from Donald Trump to FIFA officials. The striker is now free to face Belgium.
Belgium appeal against Fifa’s lifting of Folarin Balogun’s red card for US tie
Striker may still be able to play in last-16 game in Seattle sportnewz.click
Trump lobbied Fifa three times over Balogun’s red card
The Folarin Balogun controversy has taken a dramatic twist with Belgium granted an appeal against the United States striker’s shock reinstatement for Monday’s last-16 tie in Seattle. There are no guarantees, however, over when the decision will be made or whether Fifa’s reasoning for lifting his suspension will be made public.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed “astonishment” on Sunday at Fifa’s decision to rescind Balogun’s one-match ban, with their manager, Rudi Garcia, comparing it to an April Fool’s Day joke. Donald Trump repeatedly lobbied Fifa to lift Balogun’s ban, with sources telling the Guardian the US president made three calls to Fifa, starting on Wednesday, after Balogun was sent off in the USA’s 2-0 last-16 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, to ensure the change was made.
Continue reading...La respuesta de la UEFA a la retirada de la roja de Balogun por parte de la FIFA: “Se ha cruzado una línea roja”
La política parece haber entrado en juego en el Mundial y la polémica está servida. Por primera vez desde 1962, la FIFA anunció este domingo que había retirado la sanción de un partido que pesaba sobre el delantero estrella de Estados Unidos Folarin Balogun tras haber visto la tarjeta roja en los dieciseisavos del Mundial durante el triunfo ante Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-0). La federación belga ya ha puesto una reclamación y espera que su apelación se resuelva antes del partido de octavos de final contra los estadounidenses, esta noche (a las 2 de la madrugada en España y Bruselas). Mientras tanto, las reacciones se suceden. Una de las respuestas más claras ha llegado este mediodía desde la UEFA: “La decisión de ayer de suspender, durante un período de prueba de un año, la aplicación de la suspensión automática de un partido tras la tarjeta roja mostrada al jugador Folarin Balogun ha cruzado una línea roja”, afirma el organismo que dirige Aleksander Ceferin en un comunicado.
Glasner Takes Over Nottingham Forest
Oliver Glasner (51) becomes Nottingham's fifth manager within ten months, following the dismissal of Vitor Pereira on Wednesday. The Austrian takes over a club that finished 16th in the Premier League last season while reaching the Europa League semifinals.
Glasner, who led Crystal Palace to FA Cup victory in 2025 and Conference League triumph, will not have European football to manage next season. His appointment continues a turbulent managerial period at Nottingham, which has seen rapid turnover in the dugout since September 2023.
