Politics meets the pitch.

The Core Issue UEFA has accused FIFA of "crossing a red line" by overturning the automatic one-match suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the USA's World Cup last-16 match against Belgium . Balogun had received a red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which normally mandates an immediate ban .

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‎FIFA's Decision FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend Balogun’s ban for a probationary period of one year, making him eligible to play . This unprecedented move allowed the US team to field their top scorer in a knockout game where he was originally barred .

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‎The Political Controversy The decision sparked outrage after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump personally lobbied FIFA President Gianni Infantino, making multiple calls to secure the reversal . Trump later praised the decision on social media as correcting a "great injustice".