Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticized FIFA after the governing body suspended Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban following reports of interference by US President Donald Trump, clearing the United States striker to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 clash.

This decision announced on Sunday has created a stir One of the biggest controversies of the tournament. Balogun’s availability for the knockout tie has been criticized throughout the football world, with Blatter becoming the highest profile figure to question the circumstances surrounding FIFA’s decision.

Balogun was automatically handed a one-match suspension after being sent off during the United States’ 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 25-year-old had opened the scoring before receiving a straight red card following a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.

With three goals to his name, Balogun is the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament and a key figure in United States coach Mauricio Pochettino’s attack heading into the last-16 tie.

Blatter did not hold back from criticizing the governing body. In a post on X, the former FIFA chief questioned whether football’s disciplinary process remains independent.

“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by the rules, evidence, and independent bodies. If an American president interferes with the FIFA president, and a player is suddenly sanctioned before a World Cup knockout match, the question is inevitable: Quo plaintiff, FIFA?

“Football should never become a playground for political power.”

Blatter’s comments came amid reports that Trump had personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the United States’ victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, asking the governing body to review Balogun’s dismissal.

The Latin phrase quo vadis, meaning “where are you going?”, underpins Blatter’s criticism of FIFA’s direction under Infantino.

While FIFA has not commented publicly on the alleged conversation between Trump and Infantino, the governing body confirmed on Sunday that it had suspended the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun has been suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,” FIFA’s disciplinary committee said in a statement.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another violation of similar nature and severity during the probation period, the suspension will be revoked and the sanction will be imposed without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new violation.”

This decision effectively cleared Balogun to play against Belgium despite the red card remaining on his disciplinary record.

The decision has also been criticized by Belgian officials, who have questioned the timing and circumstances of FIFA’s intervention.

Trump later welcomed the decision on Truth SocialWriting: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and overturning a huge injustice!”

The decision also confirmed the stance taken by Pochettino, who had argued shortly after the Bosnia and Herzegovina match that Balogun’s challenge did not warrant a straight red card.

For Blatter, the episode is the latest point of contention with FIFA’s current leadership. The Swiss administrator served as FIFA president from 1998 to 2015 before resigning amid a corruption investigation.

He has frequently criticized the Infantino administration and earlier this year supported calls for fans to boycott World Cup matches in the United States over concerns about the Trump administration.

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