Čak je i Trump pozdravio FIFA-inu suspenziju američkog nogometaša.

The United States men's national football team advanced to the Round of 16 of the World Cup after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a tightly contested match. This victory marked a significant milestone as the U.S. team won its first knockout-stage game since 2002 and secured three consecutive wins in a single tournament for the first time in their history. The match was characterized by a back-and-forth battle, with Bosnia initially showing more aggression and creating several chances against American goalkeeper Matt Freese. However, the U.S. gradually took control of the game, securing the lead in the first half thanks to a well-timed goal by Folarin Balogun, who had previously seen one of his goals disallowed earlier in the match due to an offside call.

In the second half, the momentum shifted dramatically when Balogun committed a serious foul on Tarik Muharemović, which led to a red card following a VAR review. This put the U.S. team at a numerical disadvantage, allowing Bosnia to regain possession and take control of the match. Despite this setback, the American defense held firm, preventing Bosnia from capitalizing on their advantage. The U.S. managed to create some dangerous counterattacks, culminating in a decisive free kick scored by Malik Tillman in the 82nd minute, sealing the 2-0 victory.

With this win, the U.S. now faces Belgium in the Round of 16. While the victory is a testament to the team’s strength, the red card handed to Balogun poses a significant challenge. As one of the team's top players, his absence could impact the Americans' performance against Belgium. The loss of such a crucial player adds pressure on the remaining squad members to step up and maintain the team’s strong performance.

The controversy surrounding Balogun's red card took an unexpected turn when the FIFA disciplinary committee decided to suspend his ban. This decision came just hours before the New York Times published an article highlighting the situation. According to reports, Donald Trump, who has close ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, personally intervened to influence the outcome. The U.S. team welcomed the decision, while Belgium expressed surprise at the reversal.

The suspension of Balogun's ban highlights the complex interplay between sports regulations and political influence. Under normal circumstances, a red card would result in an automatic one-match ban, but the FIFA disciplinary committee chose to defer the punishment, citing a clause in the disciplinary code that allows for partial or full suspension of sanctions. This rare move underscores the unusual nature of the situation, especially given the high-profile involvement of Trump, who publicly praised FIFA for overturning what he described as an injustice.

The incident also brought attention to the broader implications of such decisions within international football. While FIFA has previously adjusted bans—such as reducing Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension from three matches to one—the complete suspension of a ban is extremely rare. This case marks the first instance in over six decades where a player was not banned following a red card at a World Cup. The decision has sparked discussions about the balance between enforcing strict rules and considering external factors that might influence such rulings.