ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Thread starter
- #2,791
'Overturn this' - Belgium taunt US and say Trump move fired them up
President Trump on Balogun red-card suspension
ByJoe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist
7 July 2026
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a "sense of injustice" over United States striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban being suspended by Fifa shortly before their World Cup last-16 match.
Balogun, 25, appeared certain to miss the tie in Seattle after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.
But on Sunday Fifa suspended the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, leading to widespread criticism, with Uefa, Belgium and England boss Thomas Tuchel among those speaking out against the ruling.
On Monday US President Donald Trump said he asked Fifa to review Balogun's ban, which he said would have left a "big stain" on the tournament.
But, despite the American star striker being cleared to play and starting the match, Belgium convincingly beat the tournament co-hosts 4-1.
"A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,"said Belgium and Rangers midfielder Raskin.
"There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field."
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans insisted the affair had boosted his side.
"We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That's what we did," he said.
