German Football Federation (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has said that world governing body FIFA must explain itself in the case of American World Cup player Folarin Balogun.
“FIFA should now issue a prompt statement regarding reports that the decision to suspend the red card shown to the American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a telephone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino,” Neuendorf said in a statement on Monday.
“The impression that there has been active political interference in sport must be dispelled swiftly and conclusively. The integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA are at stake.”
Balogun was sent off in the US team’s 2-0 victory in the last 32 over Bosnia-Herzegovina and was to serve an automatic one-game suspension for the round of 16 match later Monday against Belgium.
But FIFA said on Sunday that it had suspended the ban over a one-year period, making him eligible to play. American news reports said later, citing sources familiar with the case, that Trump had called Infantino over the matter.
Trump congratulated FIFA on its decision on social media, but neither FIFA nor the White House has yet to comment on alleged contact.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform after FIFA’s decision.