While the United States is one of the hosts of the World Cup, President Donald Trump has shown little interest, until recently.
The United States remains the last host nation in the Fifa World Cup, as both Canada and Mexico faced unexpected defeats over the weekend.
Initially, Canada suffered a significant 3-0 defeat to Morocco. Following that, Mexico faced a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to England in a game filled with drama.
The USA has yet to play their Round of 16 match and will face Belgium tonight. It appears, however, that Trump will not be attending.
The USA soccer team has experienced a tumultuous journey, with their top goal scorer, Folarin Balogun, aged 25, being sent off in their last-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Normally, Fifa’s regulations would mean that the player would not only be sent off but also miss at least the next game. However, the suspension for the US striker has been postponed for a year.
Though he hasn’t attended the matches, the President reportedly played a role in this decision.
In a statement, Fifa stated: “In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
Expressing gratitude on Truth Social, the 80-year-old President wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Several media sources, including CBS, have reported that the President ‘called Fifa President Gianni Infantino on Thursday’.
UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.
Typically, red card appeals are not permitted, and after the game on Thursday, it was confirmed Balogun’s sanction couldn’t be contested, until the unexpected announcement on Sunday.
The incident that led to his dismissal was deemed ‘harsh’ by many viewers. He was sent off following a ‘challenge’ on defender Tarik Muharemovic, as his foot landed on the defender’s ankle.
The red card was issued after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the moment via VAR.
Article 27 has been applied elsewhere in the World Cup, reducing Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match ban for his foul on the Republic of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea during qualifiers to one match.
It appears that Trump may indeed be getting more involved in the World Cup, as he also commended England’s Harry Kane following their win against Mexico.
“Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!” he wrote after the match.
For those puzzled by the ‘rule change,’ more updates are forthcoming, as Fifa has introduced several other ‘controversial’ modifications…
This year, numerous rule changes have been introduced, many aimed at speeding up the game and discouraging delay tactics. Some of these new rules are anticipated to stir debate.
Players being substituted now need to promptly exit the field within ten seconds via the nearest exit point. If they fail to do so, their replacement will be delayed by one minute until the next stoppage, leaving their team with 10 players temporarily.
If a referee deems that a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they will initiate a five-second countdown, requiring the ball to be back in play by the end of it. If not, the opposing team will gain possession through a throw-in or a corner kick, respectively.
An injured player receiving treatment off-field must remain off the pitch for one minute, temporarily reducing their team to 10 players.
VAR can now be utilized to review incorrectly awarded corner kicks, second yellow cards leading to a red card, instances where a player is wrongly given a yellow or red card for another player’s actions, and any attacking fouls before the ball is in play.
Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will receive a red card. It is thought players might do this to prevent lip reading while racially abusing others, an action some suspect has occurred previously.
Any player leaving the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will receive a red card, and if a team walks off leading to a match being abandoned, they will forfeit the game.