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Folarin Balogun highlighted his role as a mere spectator in the controversy that gripped the World Cup in recent days, saying he simply "accepted" whatever he was told as FIFA controversially overruled the decision to keep him out of the USMNT's match against Belgium.
After FIFA — which had previously stated that red cards at the World Cup were not subject to appeal — surprisingly lifted Balogun's one-match suspension by invoking special powers under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed he had personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step in.
The move triggered widespread backlash, particularly from the Belgian football federation, which subsequently accused FIFA of rendering an appeal against the lifted ban inadmissible by failing to adhere to its own procedures. FIFA also risked setting a troubling precedent after France appealed a yellow card given to Michael Olise, and a U.K. member of parliament submitted a request regarding a red card shown to Jarell Quansah.
Balogun found himself at the heart of the controversy, placed in an uncomfortable position as the scandal grew and eventually reached the highest levels of the sport.
"I accepted the decision when I was given the red card. Then I also accepted the decision when I could play," the American striker told reporters after what turned out to be a crushing 4–1 loss.
"There's not much else I can really say on the matter. I think with all that being said, Belgium were the better team," he said with a shrug, acknowledging that the European side controlled the key statistics and took full advantage of critical U.S. errors.
Balogun struggled to leave his mark on the game, recording a match-high eight touches inside Belgium's penalty area, yet misplacing five of 12 attempted passes, sending two of three shots wide, and losing five of eight individual duels. At times, it appeared as though the off-pitch turmoil had overshadowed what mattered most on the field, with the USMNT looking like a pale imitation of the side that had performed in earlier rounds of the tournament.
Pochettino 'Disappointed With Too Many People'
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino hinted at frustration over the backlash stemming from FIFA's handling of the situation, saying that he, his staff, and his players had been subjected to "insults."
Pochettino maintained that, regardless of how the situation unfolded, if Balogun was ruled eligible to play, he was always going to field a striker who had netted three goals across his previous four appearances.
"I am so frustrated and disappointed with the people that are supposed to understand the situation. What is the point of insulting or receiving a lot of bad messages and threats if my position is that I am the head coach?" the Argentine said.
"It's a rule that it's possible to apply and try, that the players that can be available. My position was to train the team. If you have Balogun available because the disciplinary committee of FIFA allowed for you to have the player, it's not a problem. I feel so disappointed with too many people. They mix things—they put politics and manipulation and talk about ethics and integrity."
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Balogun 'Not the One to Blame'
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, who now steers the Red Devils into a World Cup quarterfinal showdown with Spain, spoke warmly of Balogun and how he handled the controversy surrounding him.
"He came to talk to me," Garcia said. "I really liked that. It's not his fault, he's not the one to blame, I told him that. I appreciate the intention of him speaking to me."
Garcia had previously described FIFA's decision to lift the ban as an "April Fools" joke.