Zlatan Ibrahimović has come under fire after publicly supporting FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the one-match ban handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to face Belgium in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. The decision, announced just days after Balogun’s straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, has sparked huge controversy in football, with reports suggesting political pressure may have influenced the result. The situation escalated after Donald Trump publicly said he had personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the decision to be overturned, with allegations of political interference quickly spreading and fueling widespread debate about FIFA’s independence and integrity. While FIFA insisted the decision was made independently, the timing of the decision and Trump’s comments only increased the scrutiny.
FIFA overturns Balogun’s suspension ahead of Belgium clash
Balogun was expected to miss the U.S.’s Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the 64th minute of the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.The Arsenal forward, who had already opened the scoring before being dismissed for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, automatically incurred a one-match suspension under FIFA competition regulations.However, FIFA later announced that the sanction would not be enforced immediately.In a statement, world football’s governing body said:“In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a trial period of one year.”The decision means Balogun, who scored three goals and provided three assists throughout the tournament, remains available to face Belgium as the United States chase a first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 2002.
Ibrahimović supports FIFA’s decision
Working as a pundit for FOX Sports during the World Cup, Ibrahimović welcomed FIFA’s intervention and argued that Balogun should never have been fired in the first place.“What I want to say is that I’m happy for the United States,” Ibrahimović said.“As Thierry said, first of all he shouldn’t have had a red card, then this decision should have come sooner.“But I’m happy for the US team because they’ve been amazing, but Balogun has been super amazing and with him it’s an extra strength.”His comments quickly divided opinion online.One supporter wrote: “These men are not allowed to criticize FIFA. This is blatant home cooking.”Another posted: “Zlatan fakes this big macho persona constantly, but watch it with zero spin on live television when it really matters.”
Henry agrees with the outcome, but questions the timing
Ibrahimović’s FOX Sports analyst Thierry Henry He also maintained that Balogun should not have been sent off, but stressed that FIFA’s delayed decision had unfairly affected Belgium’s preparations.“Yes, that’s exactly what it is for Belgium, the latest news,” Henry said in a video shared by FOX Sports on X.“That must have broken his spirit a little because they also prepare the game to play a certain way and then suddenly you have to change your game preparation.“This is also what happens when you do something like this. Three, four days to make a decision.”Henry reiterated his belief that the original dismissal was wrong.“Now we need to get back to the point. I don’t think it was a red card, and we all said that. We all know it wasn’t… he didn’t do it on purpose.”However, I recognized the disruption created by FIFA’s late intervention.“I must say that if you are in Belgium, to prepare for the game, it changes everything.”Henry added that while similar situations could have happened before, referring to the case of Garrincha from decades ago, the central problem remained the timing rather than the final verdict.“I was like okay, that’s a good call, but why so late?”
Neville, Keane and Wright condemn FIFA management
The reaction on ITV Sport was far more critical, with Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright all questioning FIFA’s process and consistency.Keane said:“It seems unfair because it is unfair.“You have to look at the opposition team in terms of their preparation and it seems like a little act of a friend we say.”Neville reserved his strongest criticism for FIFA itself.“It absolutely stinks, let’s be really clear.“The thing that stinks the most is that there should have been a review process in place because I actually didn’t think it was a red card.“I think there should be a process that allows it to be annulled, but if there is no process to be annulled and then somehow FIFA, out of nowhere, decided to let a player play… and the rules are the same for everyone.“It would be absolutely furious if I was Belgium and every other team in the tournament who had a player who might think it’s a bit difficult.“You know something? Are we surprised? No, not with this lot.”Wright also questioned the integrity of FIFA’s handling of the incident.“The suspensions are meant to be served during the tournament.“This is suspended, it doesn’t happen normally, but we talk about integrity, people talk about transparency, but look at some of the things that happened in this tournament with certain teams … it’s shameful, especially because it’s an American player.“If he is guilty of what he did, whether we think he should have had the red card or not, some of the things that have happened in this World Cup have been shameful.”With Belgium already exploring their legal options over the decision and criticism continuing from across the football world, Balogun’s availability has become one of the tournament’s most controversial talking points ahead of the Round of 16 clash in Seattle.