Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.
The US president was mocked by Belgium’s players after Rudi Garcia’s side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cup’s integrity.
In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.
Follow all of the reaction and latest fallout with our World Cup live blog below:
Fifa Disciplinary Committee takes swipe at Uefa over criticism of Folarin Balogun ban decision
Fifa has dismissed criticism from Uefa after being accused of “crossing a red line” in its handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card and suspending the one-game ban to enable the USA striker to play in the World Cup last 16 tie against Belgium.
England consider Jarell Quansah red card appeal after Fifa set Balogun precedent
England say they are “considering all options” regarding an appeal of Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico on Sunday night.
The sending off means Quansah is currently suspended for the quarter-final tie against Norway on Saturday and, via the rulebook, there is no formal grounds for an appeal.
Fifa refereeing chief praises official criticised by Trump
The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.
Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ last-16 tie against Belgium which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.
Fifa issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (the referees team) at the Fifa World Cup”.
It added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
WATCH: Balogun case brings karmic justice now, but maybe big future legal problems for Fifa
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino disappointed over ‘politics and manipulation’
Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention.
The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the last 16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.
They did so with star man Folarin Balogun included in the starting line-up after the one-match ban he incurred for his dismissal during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump revealing he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the situation.
Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.
“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?
“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.
“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
Donald Trump’s intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter lawfare in football
Belgium manager reveals what he told Folarin Balogun after win over USA: ‘It’s not his fault’
Starmer stepped in to stop Fifa bringing forward Mexico kick-off time
Is it just Donald Trump interfering in the World Cup? It seems Sir Keir Starmer may have had some input in England and Mexico’s clash going ahead as originally scheduled. Holly Evans reports.
The only thing ruining this brilliant World Cup is the staggering corruption of those in charge
This has been the World Cup defined by the upending of expectation. Gloomy forecasts of skyrocketing prices putting off spectators, of visiting fans being denied visas, of expat supporters finding themselves lifted wholesale from the streets of US cities by immigration and customs enforcement, have not come to pass. Instead, we have seen state-of-the-art stadiums packed to the gunwales, glorious football, goals galore. And, perhaps most pleasingly of all, the first fortnight was entirely free of Donald Trump.
Until now. Yesterday, with the USA poised to take on Belgium in a last-16 tie in Seattle, he got involved. And in the most underhand, dispiriting and frankly Trump-like manner.
