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President Donald Trump confirmed before the USA hosted Belgium in Seattle that he had spoken with FIFA, and asked them to reconsider Folarin Balogun's red card that he picked up in the previous match against Bosnia.
In his own words, Trump said "I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled. If they wouldn't allow a top player to play, I think it would have had a big stain."
"I can't tell him what to do... it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision. It wasn't a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players."
Fans' theories on FIFA just got confirmed by President Donald Trump
While being complimentary to FIFA and the decision-making process, President Donald Trump revealed a fatal flaw in FIFA's process.
That flaw in the process is, well, there isn't really a process to anything. The rules can be bent and manipulated in any way that FIFA pleases, and that's a real shame. What should be a fair game for all soon becomes an unfair game for the few.
The disconnect between fans and FIFA keeps getting larger. Many football fans do not respect FIFA, because it feels like FIFA doesn't respect fans in return.
The consensus among football fans is that FIFA undermines the game. Football is the world's game, and it is supposed to be the beautiful game, but FIFA keeps taking actions that do a complete disservice to the game that fans have helped build over centuries.
The decision to overturn former Arsenal player Folarin Balogun's red card, just so he could play against Belgium, is yet another sign that FIFA makes the rules up as they go along.
It appears particularly concerning when political intervention is admitted around the same time as punishment is lifted.
One fan on Reddit noticed the disconnect between FIFA's values and its actions. ""FIFA = "we don't want politics in our game/sport. Also FIFA = "we get influenced by politicians""
Another fan noted that the concern rests on FIFA's response, which could have been vastly different. "The real issue is that FIFA didn't answer his call with "lol no"."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has distanced himself from the decision-making. He claims that, regardless of the way he feels about FIFA's decision-makers, he respects the decision.
"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued," said Infantino. "Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.
"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant.
For the first time since 1962, a red card in the World Cup did not result in a match ban. Simply put, if you are shown a red card in the World Cup, you serve out the punishment for it. The same rules that have applied to every single team since 1962 didn't apply to the United States of America.
Leandro Trossard prevailed where Folarin Balogun fell short
Former Arsenal striker and Hale End graduate Folarin Balogun is the face of this entire situation, but the reality is that none of this is his fault. Fans do not blame him, either; they blame FIFA for its sheer cognitive dissonance.
In the end, justice was served. By their own history, FIFA should not have overturned the Folarin Balogun suspension. However, they did it, and it only makes Belgium's win over the USA more impressive.
Folarin Balogun was one of the quietest players on the pitch. He registered just 21 touches and he was substituted off for Haji Wright when the match was said and done.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, on the other hand, was in exceptional form on the night, playing all over the pitch, it seemed. He took four shots, the most of any player on the pitch, and registered one assist.
Leandro Trossard is unlikely to play another game for Arsenal, however, fans regard him as a club legend for playing such a pivotal role in Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy next season.
It was nice to see that, in a game where 99% of the world was rooting for one team, Trossard put in the same performance that Arsenal fans were used to seeing from him.
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