Who saved US star from ban? Shocking details of FIFA’s secret deal emerge
Folarin Balogun (photo: x.com/USMNT)
The controversy surrounding the sudden pardon of USMNT forward Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup has taken a dramatic new turn. New behind-the-scenes details have emerged about how the controversial amnesty was arranged, according to The Times.
Who is really responsible
It has emerged that the decision to replace the 25-year-old striker’s automatic suspension with a conditional ban was made not only against the spirit of the game but also in complete secrecy.
FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Mohammed Al-Kamali reportedly signed the document on his own. Instead of following the standard procedure of reviewing the case by a collective body, the official did not convene a meeting or hold any consultations.
The move sparked outrage within the football community, as FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee consists of 18 experts. At the same time, the other 17 members were simply informed of the decision after the fact, effectively being excluded from the discussion process.
Mohammed Al-Kamali and Gianni Infantino (photo: FIFA)
Double standards compared with England
The secret rescue of Balogun after his red card in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina looks even more controversial when compared with another similar incident at the tournament. The revealed details point to what appears to be a double standard in football authorities’ approach:
Punishment for the US: Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension for a reckless foul was immediately replaced with a one-year probation period, allowing him to play against Belgium in the Round of 16 (where the US team still lost 4-1).
Punishment for England: Defender Jarell Quansah received the harshest possible punishment for a similar serious foul in the match against Mexico — a two-match suspension, with no attempts to reduce the penalty or reach behind-the-scenes compromises.
The inconsistency in the decisions and the complete lack of transparency surrounding the committee chairman’s actions sparked harsh criticism. Journalists attempted to get direct answers from Mohammed Al-Kamali himself during the Argentina–Switzerland match.
He was questioned about ignoring his colleagues’ opinions and applying different standards to the Quansah and Balogun incidents. However, the UAE official ignored the media, said nothing, and quickly left the scene without comment.
