according to The Times<\/a>, despite it breaking from previous World Cup disciplinary precedent, where players shown a red card automatically serve a suspension. <\/p>\nThe revelation has intensified scrutiny of FIFA and the integrity of its disciplinary process.<\/p>\n
Balogun was initially handed a one-match suspension after being sent off for serious foul play, an offence that typically carries a two-match ban. However, Al-Kamali deferred the suspension for a probationary period of one year, allowing the USA forward to feature in his side\u2019s Round of 16 clash against Belgium, which the Americans lost 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe controversy deepened after US President Donald Trump claimed he had asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked for a review because I didn\u2019t think it was a foul. All I did was ask for a review, I didn\u2019t say you have to do this. I can\u2019t tell them what to do,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
Trump later described FIFA\u2019s decision to overturn the ban as a \u201creally brilliant decision\u201d, maintained the incident \u201cwas not a foul\u201d and questioned the Brazilian referee\u2019s call, saying he \u201cis a little bit suspect\u201d.<\/p>\n
Infantino insisted he had no influence over the disciplinary outcome, saying he regularly speaks with heads of state but does not intervene in decisions made by FIFA\u2019s independent judicial bodies.<\/p>\n
\u201cFIFA\u2019s judicial bodies are independent,\u201d Infantino said.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nAlvarez belter dooms 10 man Switzerland | 00:24<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\u201cThey operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football.\u201d<\/p>\n
UEFA criticised FIFA\u2019s handling of the matter, saying the governing body had crossed a \u201cred line\u201d, while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned: \u201cFootball must never become a playground for political power.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>US President Donald Trump joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2025.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile previous FIFA disciplinary cases have occasionally been decided by a single committee member, those rulings have typically been made by deputy chairman Jorge Palacio of Colombia.<\/p>\n
According to published findings from more than 100 previous cases, this is the first known instance of Al-Kamali acting as the sole decision-maker.<\/p>\n
FIFA has also declined to publish the written reasons behind Balogun\u2019s reprieve, further fuelling the controversy. It is understood to be the first time since automatic suspensions for red cards were introduced that one has been overturned.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi to face England for first time in World Cup semi-final<\/b><\/p>\n
Lionel Messi has faced the world\u2019s biggest football nations throughout his legendary international career. But despite more than 200 appearances for Argentina, the eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner has never played England \u2013 until now.<\/p>\n
Argentina and England will meet in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, with Golden Boot co-leader Messi set to face the Three Lions for the first time.<\/p>\n
It was a milestone that almost never came, with Switzerland threatening to end Argentina\u2019s World Cup campaign before Lionel Scaloni\u2019s side eventually prevailed 3-1 after extra time.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Ramos\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDespite the victory, Messi was held scoreless for the first time this tournament after opening the campaign with eight goals. <\/p>\n
Former England defender and BBC pundit Micah Richards believes Messi remains Argentina\u2019s biggest threat despite his limited defensive workload.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland can outrun Argentina but they just have that little genius Messi. They all play for him. Everyone should be excited,\u201d said Richards to BBC Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarking him is impossible because he doesn\u2019t run back. He goes into little spaces where he shouldn\u2019t really be. He switches on at the right times [and] he\u2019s got the best technique. His spatial awareness is fantastic. He\u2019s got a great shot.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost importantly, he\u2019s got what Jude\u2019s [Bellingham] got and that\u2019s what makes Jude so great, he\u2019s got personality and aura.<\/p>\n
\u201cMessi has the most aura out of any footballer. Messi\u2019s aura is just next level, so it\u2019s going to be interesting,\u201d Richards added.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nBellingham hits back for England! | 00:23<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nFormer England striker Wayne Rooney echoed Richards\u2019 sentiments, highlighting Messi\u2019s lack of defensive work but warning of his unmatched ability to decide matches in an instant.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can be a weakness defensively for Argentina,\u201d Rooney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t run back, but he has big moments a bit like with Jude Bellingham. He has big moments and moments of quality. The thing with Messi is his decision-making \u2013 he comes to life in moments of the game and he makes the right decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarking Lionel Messi is about concentration and communication. Communicating with your teammates about picking up positions you might not usually pick up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Sport, Football, 1986 Football World Cup, Mexico, Quarter Final, Argentina 2 v England 1, 22nd June, 1986, Argentina’s Diego Maradona scores 1st goal with his Hand of God, past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton (Photo by Bob Thomas\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThursday\u2019s semi-final shapes as one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. It will renew one of football\u2019s fiercest rivalries, from Diego Maradona\u2019s infamous \u2018Hand of God\u2019 goal in 1986 to David Beckham\u2019s red card at the 1998 World Cup.<\/p>\n
Now, another chapter is about to be written as Messi finally gets the chance to face England on the biggest stage of all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fresh controversy has engulfed FIFA after a shock report about how USA star Folarin Balogun\u2019s suspension was frozen. Meanwhile, Argentina great Lionel Messi prepares to make incredible history in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against England. All that and more in the latest edition of World Cup Daily! Get all the latest football news, highlights […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":252711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-252710","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=252710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252710\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/252711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=252710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=252710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=252710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}