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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Amanda Langell

England Chief Slams FIFA for ‘Troubling’ Folarin Balogun Red Card Scandal

The fallout from Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card suspension at the 2026 World Cup is still raging, with Premier League CEO Richard Masters calling the decision another “self-inflicted moment” by FIFA.

World soccer’s governing body opened itself up to rampant criticism when it allowed Balogun, who was sent off in the U.S. men’s national team’s round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, to play against Belgium in the round of 16. The striker saw his ban suspended in a shocking decision, seemingly influenced by intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.

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