Trump intervenes in the World Cup to try to secure a US victory with the lifting of a FIFA sanction on their star striker

This morning, Tuesday, July 7, one of the host nations of this World Cup, the United States, plays its round of 16 match against Belgium. In this match, controversy is already brewing before the ball even starts rolling, due to a non-football-related issue with United States President Donald Trump as the protagonist.

In the United States' round of 32 match, the Americans defeated Bosnia 2-0; however, in the second half of that match, United States star striker Folarin Balogun saw a red card after a tough tackle on an opposing defender, leaving the United States without its best striker for the round of 16 match. Nevertheless, that has changed; FIFA issued a statement yesterday, Sunday, July 5, lifting Balogun's suspension, causing surprise worldwide, as it is a rare sight in these competitions.

In said statement, FIFA has expressed that: "In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the execution of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year." And to try to sugarcoat the decision, they added: "If Falorin Balogun commits an infraction of similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension will be revoked and the sanction will be executed without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infraction."

The Royal Belgian Football Association is astonished by FIFA's decision, and they have issued another statement arguing their position: "FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, which states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the execution of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction; however, Article 66.4 of the same Disciplinary Code clearly states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the next match, as has been the case with previous red cards issued in this World Cup."

The controversy revolves around Trump, as it is believed that from The White House, they conveyed the request to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lift the sanction on their national team's forward. However, FIFA has downplayed any possible political influence: "The body referred to the resolution adopted by its independent disciplinary committee." But after yesterday's resolution was known, Donald Trump celebrated the decision with a message on his social media: "Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!" Apparently, the President of the United States seeks his country's victory by using his power and influence to interfere in this World Cup.