Belgium players appeared to mock US President Donald Trump and FIFA after eliminating co-hosts USA from the World Cup.
The PR circus surrounding FIFA’s decision to rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card and Donald Trump’s involvement in the supposedly independent process had dominated the headlines ahead of the last-16 clash in Seattle. However, it appeared only to galvanise Belgium as they thrashed USA 4-1 to book a quarter-final with Spain.
And Belgium revelled in the victory, with several players mimicking Donald Trump’s trademark dance moves after their fourth goal, while the team’s official X account also mocked the US President and FIFA by responding to Balogun’s overturned ban with the post: “Overturn this.”
Raskin: A sense of justice
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a “sense of injustice” after their thumping win.
“A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,” Raskin said.
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.”
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Sky Sports’ Gail Davis explains how Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia has since turned into one of the biggest controversies of the World Cup.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans also insisted the build up to the game had boosted his side.
“We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did,” he said.
Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “review” United States striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in the stands in Seattle as the furore around Folarin Balogun’s suspended ban rumbled on
The world governing body announced on Sunday that the automatic one-match ban for Balogun’s dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina had been suspended, with the Americans’ last-16 opponents, Belgium, appealing – unsuccessfully – against the decision.
On Monday, UEFA said FIFA had “crossed a red line” and had put the “integrity of the game at stake” in allowing Balogun to play against Belgium.
But FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the independence of FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
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US President Donald Trump admits that he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s suspension for the Round of 16 match against Belgium, following his red card against Bosnia.
Garcia: Balogun not to blame
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia revealed that Balogun “came to talk” after the game.
Garcia said: “I really liked that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him.”
United States striker Folarin Balogun had his one game ban suspended and played against Belgium
Asked if the controversy impacted his team, Garcia added: “Regardless of the US starting line-up, what really mattered to us is our game plan.
“The group is very mature. I told them what matters the most is us.”
Pochettino disappointed that politics overshadowed USA’s World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit.
Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.
“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?
“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.
“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”
Like his manager, USA defender Tim Ream refused to use the Balogun situation as an excuse.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, he said: “No, it had no impact. We’ve done a good job with this group of allowing outside noise to be outside noise. It’s got nothing to do with us as players and getting ready for games.
“It’s one of those things. That’s the world we live in. We were fully focused on us as a group and as a team and fully focused on the game and not really worrying about what was being said or debated in the outside world.”
Infantino faces resignation calls – but he’s not going anywhere
Meanwhile, FIFA president Infantino is facing calls to resign over the decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium.
“Infantino must go,” said Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey. “No matter where it is held, the World Cup belongs to the fans.”
Resigning is not something which has crossed Infantino’s mind. He has been president for 10 years and he will stand for re-election next year.
He is almost guaranteed to win a new four-year term because he already has the votes he needs to win. The African, Asian and South American football confederations are all backing him again.
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Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol explains why Donald Trump intervening with Folarin Balogun’s red card is terrible look for FIFA.
FIFA’s president is elected by its 211 member associations. Asia, Africa and South America have 111 votes.
Infantino is likely to be the only candidate which would mean he will be clapped back into office by acclamation.
Infantino has been flying around the US, Canada and Mexico watching as many World Cup games as possible in a jet provided by Qatar Airways.
FIFA say their disciplinary committee is independent and Infantino was not involved in the decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban.
