[Anchor]

FIFA has overturned the suspension of U.S. forward Balogun, who was barred from the Round of 16 after receiving a red card in the Round of 32. U.S. President Donald Trump personally called the FIFA president to intervene. Belgium, the opponent in the Round of 16, has strongly protested, stating they thought it was an April Fools' Day joke.

Report by Ha Seong-nyong.

[Reporter]

FIFA announced on its website today (July 6) that it has suspended the enforcement of Balogun's one-match ban for one year.

Balogun, the U.S. ace who has scored three goals in this tournament, received an automatic one-match suspension after being shown a red card for stepping on an opponent's foot during the Round of 32 match on July 2. However, thanks to FIFA's decision, he is now eligible to play in tomorrow's match against Belgium.

The reason behind FIFA's unusual decision is the interference of U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. media outlets, including The New York Times, reported that on July 2, the day Balogun was sent off, President Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the disciplinary action.

Following FIFA's announcement of the suspension deferral, President Trump wrote on social media, "Thank you to FIFA for correcting an injustice."

As suspicions grow that President Infantino deferred the suspension after receiving a call from his close acquaintance, President Trump, controversy over fairness is mounting, with critics arguing that FIFA has bowed to pressure from the host nation's government.

The Royal Belgian Football Association, the U.S.'s opponent in the Round of 16, issued a statement calling the decision "shocking" and stating they are "reviewing response measures to uphold fair play." Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia and the global football community have also poured out criticism.

[Rudi Garcia / Belgium National Football Team Head Coach: FIFA must not have realized that July 5 was April 1. This is truly absurd.]

[Ståle Solbakken / Norway National Football Team Head Coach: I think it is a huge mistake by FIFA. What will you do if there is another red card in the future? Will you handle it the same way? It is a truly wrong decision that undermines the value of the World Cup.]

U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA's decision, claiming that Balogun's red card was not justified.

This marks the first time in 64 years, since Brazil's star striker Garrincha in 1962, that a suspension for a red card in the final tournament has been deferred.

At the time, Garrincha was sent off in the semifinals, but FIFA, succumbing to Brazil's all-out lobbying, reduced the penalty, allowing him to play in the final. He eventually led Brazil to victory and was named MVP.

Reported by Ha Seong-nyong | Video by Kim Jin-won | Graphics by Kim Han-gil