'Our game, not theirs': Klopp slams FIFA's Balogun decision

BERLIN: Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday slammed FIFA's decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, which reportedly took place after an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

Balogun was set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with Belgium, having picked up a red card in his previous match, but FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban for a year, making the forward eligible to play.

Sources told AFP Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking him to review Balogun's punishment.

Former Liverpool manager Klopp, who is set to become the next Germany manager after Julian Nagelsmann's resignation on Friday, hit out at the decision.

"It's a red card, even if it's a shame because Balogun can't play, but it's there in the rules," Klopp said.

"This is our game, not theirs... If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that's crazy. It calls everything into question...

"These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn't have anything to do with it," the 59-year-old added.

Balogun, 25, was shown a straight red card after a VAR review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia defender in the US's 2-0 last-32 win.

FIFA's regulations state that a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban, which cannot be appealed.

But a rule in the FIFA statutes allows the governing body to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure," essentially amounting to a veto over refereeing decisions.

The previously little-known rule was the basis for overturning a three-game suspension imposed on Cristiano Ronaldo in the lead-up to the tournament, which meant the superstar forward was eligible to play in Portugal's first two games.

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

"FIFA should now quickly address reports suggesting that the decision to suspend the red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino," Neuendorf told AFP subsidiary SID on Monday.

"The impression that there was active political interference in the sport must be swiftly and conclusively dispelled. It is a matter of the integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA."

Trump, who was the inaugural recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize in the lead-up to the tournament, praised FIFA's decision on social media.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

FIFA have 'crossed a red line' in Balogun reprieve: UEFA

Separately, European football's governing body UEFA said that FIFA "crossed a red line" with the controversial decision to suspend US star Folarin Balogun's one-game ban for a year.

"Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," read UEFA's strongly worded statement.

"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not."

UEFA warned of the ramifications for the sport as a whole.

"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because is played everywhere with the same laws," it said.

"A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

World football's governing body said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The Belgians were stupefied by the ruling.

"I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it's April Fool's Day," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia told reporters.