USA star Folarin Balogun admitted he was not surprised that FIFA’s decision to allow him to face Belgium snowballed into a scandal that engulfed even the White House.
The United States’ World Cup dreams went up in smoke on Monday night, when Mauricio Pochettino’s team was beaten 4-1 by Belgium on a chastening night in Seattle.
The build-up to the last-16 clash was dominated by FIFA’s extraordinary decision to allow Balogun to play – despite the striker being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
It later emerged that Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the red card, sparking a saga that overshadowed the USMNT’s entire World Cup campaign. Even Balogun’s dad insisted ‘politics should not interfere in sport’ in an interview with the Daily Mail.
The striker and his teammates learned the news barely 24 hours before the game in Seattle. And, following the 4-1 loss, Balogun spoke out about his role in the worldwide scandal.
‘When you’re given a red card, usually the protocol is you don’t play in the following game,’ he said. ‘Then, when that decision’s overturned, of course, it’s going to be controversial.
Folarin Balogun was not surprised FIFA’s call to allow him to face Belgium was controversial
The USMNT’s World Cup dreams went up in smoke with a 4-1 defeat by Belgium in Seattle
Donald Trump controversially called FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the red card
‘So it didn’t really surprise me too much. But as a player my job is just to go out there and focus on my job. And I’m disappointed we weren’t able to win today.’
Balogun, who confirmed he had no involvement in the process to suspend his ban, added: ‘I accepted the decision when I was given the red card, and then I also accepted the decision when I was told I could play.
‘There’s not too much else I can really say on the matter. All that being said, Belgium were the better team today. They played much better than us.’
Balogun was the USA’s top scorer at the World Cup with three goals and news of his reprieve was seen as a huge boost heading into Monday’s game.
But Pochettino’s team struggled badly against Belgium, with defensive lapses costing them dearly for three of the four goals.
‘Today we didn’t give the crowd a lot to cheer for,’ Balogun said. ‘That’s the most disappointing thing, and that’s the part that hurts the most for me personally.
‘We have to wait four years again to be in this position, which is hurtful… the feeling of disappointment is very difficult to put into words.’
He added: ‘To not have the energy in a round-of-16 World Cup game, it’s difficult to explain. So I can only tell you my emotions which are disappointment and a lot of sadness.’
After being knocked out of the World Cup, Balogun spoke to Belgium manager Rudi Garcia
The striker was sent off for this challenge during the US’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
After the game, Balogun spoke to Belgium manager Rudi Garcia who had compared FIFA’s decision to lift the striker’s suspension to an April Fools’ joke.
‘I just congratulated Belgium,’ Balogun explained of their conversation. ‘There’s winners and losers, and similar to when I was given the red card, you have to handle it in the right way.
‘So with us losing today again, of course there’s huge disappointment.
‘But I wanted to just say congratulations to Belgium and Rudi Garcia and wish them good luck for the rest of the tournament.’
