American striker Folarin Balogun was scheduled to be suspended for the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, but FIFA controversially withheld his red card and allowed him to play.
Folarin Balogun embroiled in controversy (Image: CBS Mornings)
Folarin Balogun admitted that FIFA’s controversial decision to allow them to play Belgium had an impact on the USA ahead of their limp World Cup exit. Balogun, 25, was sent off in the previous game against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was expected to miss the match in Seattle.
However, on the eve of the last-16 draw, it was announced that FIFA had taken the unprecedented decision to hand the former Arsenal striker a one-year, one-match ban and allow him to play. US President Donald Trump subsequently revealed that he had called FIFA’s Gianni Infantino to get the decision reversed.
Infantino and FIFA insist that the decision, which was reportedly made without full consultation with FIFA’s disciplinary committee, was not influenced by President Trump. Unfortunately for co-hosts USA, Balogun was unable to prevent a disastrous 4-1 defeat, ending their run in the tournament.
Speaking on CBS Morning, the Monaco star opened up about being at the center of the drama. “My first reaction was that I was happy to be back in the team. But on reflection, I thought this was going to cause a lot of controversy,” Balogun admitted.
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“And because this is something so unique, I could see some nervousness among my teammates. But as the game got closer, I tried to concentrate as much as I could, but it was difficult. There was a lot of outside noise, and it was difficult to avoid it.”
Balogun added: “It was confusing because the team was practicing without me. I’m just playing a support role to boost morale.”
The 25-year-old was on the bus with his team-mates when he learned the news that he would be available, seen as a big boost for manager Mauricio Pochettino. Balogun had scored two goals in three games prior to the game against Belgium and was rested by manager Pochettino ahead of the final group stage match against the United States.
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Despite the return of Folarin Balogun, the United States suffered a convincing defeat (Image: John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
He continued, “It’s more about being able to separate your emotions from the job at hand. We’re all professionals, so I don’t think it’s that difficult to separate your emotions from the initial announcement that you’re going back to the team.”
“But the game against Belgium was obviously a difficult game, so that could cast a shadow on whether we were focused or not. But I know from what I’ve been in camp and in the set-up that we were fully focused heading into the game.”
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