Zlatan Ibrahimović was ridiculed after publicly supporting FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the one-game ban given to United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The decision, announced just days after Balogun’s straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, has sparked a major football controversy, with reports suggesting political pressure may have influenced the outcome. The situation escalated after Donald Trump publicly admitted that he had personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the decision to be overturned, with allegations of political interference spreading rapidly and fueling widespread debate about FIFA’s independence and integrity. While FIFA insists the decision was made independently, the timing of the decision and Trump’s own comments only added to the scrutiny.
FIFA overturned Balogun’s suspension before the Belgium match
Balogun is expected to miss the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the 64th minute of the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.The Arsenal striker, who had opened the scoring before being dismissed for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, was automatically suspended for one match under FIFA competition regulations.However, FIFA later announced that the punishment would not be implemented immediately.In a statement, world football’s governing body said:“According to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the enforcement of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”The decision means Balogun, who scored three goals and provided three assists throughout the tournament, remains available to face Belgium as the United States chases its first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 2002.
Ibrahimović supported FIFA’s decision
Working as a pundit for FOX Sports during the World Cup, Ibrahimović welcomed FIFA’s intervention and argued that Balogun should never have been dismissed in the first place.“What I want to say is that I am happy in the US,” Ibrahimović said.“As Thierry said, first of all he doesn’t have a red card, then this decision should be easier.“But I’m happy for the US team because they’re amazing, but Balogun is amazing and with him it’s an added force.”His comments quickly divided opinion online.One supporter wrote: “These guys are not allowed to criticize FIFA. This is blatant home cooking.”Another posted: “Zlatan always fakes this big macho persona but watch him have zero spine on live television when it matters.”
Henry agreed with the result but questioned the timing
Ibrahimović’s fellow FOX Sports analyst Thierry Henry It also maintained that Balogun should not be sent off, but stressed that FIFA’s delayed decision unfairly affected Belgium’s preparations.“Yeah, that’s exactly what it is for Belgium, the breaking news,” Henry said in a video shared by FOX Sports on X.“That probably broke their spirit a little bit because you also prepare the game to play in a certain way and then suddenly you have to change your game preparation.“It’s the same when you do something like that. Three, four days to make a decision.”Henry reiterated his belief that the original removal was incorrect.“Now we have to go back to the point. I don’t think it was a red card, and we all said it. We all know it wasn’t … he didn’t do that on purpose.”However, he acknowledged the disruption created by FIFA’s late intervention.“I have to say that when you are Belgium, to prepare for the game, it changes everything.”Henry added that although similar circumstances may have occurred in the past, referring to Garrincha’s case from decades ago, the central issue remains time rather than the final verdict.“I’m like okay, it’s the right call, but why so late?”
Neville, Keane and Wright condemned the management of FIFA
The reaction on ITV Sport was even more critical, with Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright all questioning FIFA’s process and consistency.Keane said:“It seems unfair because it is unfair.“You have to look at the opposition team in terms of their preparation and it looks like a bit of a friendly action we would say.”Neville reserved his strongest criticism for FIFA itself.“It really stinks, let’s be clear.“The thing that stinks the most is that there should be a review process in place because I honestly don’t think it’s a red card.“I think there should be a process that allows it to be reversed, but if there is no process for it to be reversed and then somehow FIFA, from somewhere, decides to allow a player to play… and the rules are the same for everyone.“I would be absolutely furious if I were Belgium and every other team in the tournament who had a player sent off would probably think it was a bit hard to do.“Do you know something? Are we surprised? No, not on this lot.”Wright also questioned the integrity of FIFA’s handling of the incident.“The suspensions are meant to be served during the tournament.“This one being suspended, it doesn’t usually happen, but we talk about integrity, people talk about transparency, but you look at some of the things that happened in this tournament with some teams… it’s embarrassing, especially since he’s an American player.“Whether he is guilty of what he did, whether we think he got the red card or not, some of the things that happened at the World Cup are shameful.”With Belgium already exploring its legal options over the decision and criticism continuing from around the football world, Balogun’s availability has become one of the tournament’s most controversial talking points ahead of the Round of 16 clash in Seattle.