BRUSSELS — In an unexpected twist at the FIFA World Cup, the Belgian football community expressed profound dismay after FIFA reversed a suspension for U.S. player Folarin Balogun, who was set to miss the crucial round-of-16 game against Belgium. This decision came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump praised FIFA for rectifying what he called "a great injustice" on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Balogun, who received a red card in a previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was initially banned for one match—a penalty rarely overturned. FIFA’s statement on Sunday cited "article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," allowing for the suspension to be suspended for a "probationary period of one year."

The reversal followed a reported intervention by Trump, who is said to have contacted FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to discuss the matter. This involvement has sparked a wave of criticism and allegations of undue political influence over the sport's governing body.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed its astonishment over FIFA's decision, emphasizing the importance of fair play and equality among all teams. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," the association declared.

Responses from Belgian politicians were swift and scathing. Jacqueline Galant, Walloon sports minister, emphasized the importance of integrity in competition, expressing full support for the RBFA's stance to uphold the rules of the game. Meanwhile, the opposition Socialist party issued a statement condemning the decision as a manipulation of the rules to appease Trump, suggesting that it tarnished the credibility of the World Cup and portrayed a disappointing image of FIFA and the U.S.

Yvan Verougstraete, a member of the European Parliament and president of Les Engagés party, remarked on the irony of the situation, criticizing FIFA's apparent capitulation to political pressure. "Amazing how a red card suddenly becomes ‘unjust’ when Trump gets involved. FIFA must defend fairness, not give the impression of yielding to political pressures," he stated, underlining the sentiment shared by many Belgians.

As the match approaches, the controversy continues to stir discussions about fairness and the integrity of international sports competitions.