Klopp calls FIFA’s reversal of Balogun ban ‘crazy’ amid Trump intervention reports

Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday criticized FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, which reportedly came after an intervention by US President Donald Trump.

Balogun was due to miss Monday’s last-16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in his previous match, but FIFA suspended the ban for a year on Sunday, making the attacker eligible to play.

Klopp, who will become Germany’s next national coach on Friday after the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, responded to the decision.

“It’s a red card, even though it’s a shame because Balogun can’t play, but it’s in the rules,” Klopp said.

“This is our game, not theirs… If Trump and Infantino really solved all this between themselves, that’s insane. It calls everything into question…

“These two individuals, neither of whom understand football, should have nothing to do with it,” the 59-year-old added.

Balogun, 25, was shown a straight red card after a VAR review revealed he had stepped on the foot of a Bosnia defender during the US’s 2-0 last-32 victory.

According to FIFA rules, a red card automatically leads to a one-match suspension, which cannot be appealed.

However, a provision in FIFA’s statutes allows the governing body to «suspend, in whole or in part, the implementation of a disciplinary measure», essentially giving it the power to override disciplinary decisions.

The previously little-known provision was also used to overturn a three-match suspension imposed on Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up to the tournament, making the superstar eligible to play in Portugal’s first two matches.

German FA (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf demanded an explanation from FIFA, saying the decision jeopardized the tournament’s credibility.

“FIFA must now quickly respond to reports suggesting that the decision to suspend the red card issued to US player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Neuendorf told AFP affiliate SID on Monday.

«The impression that there was active political interference in the sport must be quickly and definitively dispelled. It is a matter of the integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA.»

Trump, who was the first recipient of the newly established FIFA Peace Prize in the run-up to the tournament, praised FIFA’s decision on social media.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and undoing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Published on July 6, 2026