Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised football's governing body after Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension was unexpectedly lifted, raising concerns over political influence in the decision-making process.
According to AFP sources, US President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's automatic one-match ban following his red card.
The 25-year-old United States striker is now eligible to face Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 clash after FIFA suspended his ban for one year. FIFA has not provided an official explanation for the decision.
Blatter, who led FIFA until 2015, questioned the circumstances surrounding the ruling in a post on X.
"Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls.
"They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.
"If a US President intervenes with the FIFA President - and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match - the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis (Where are you going), FIFA?
"Football must never become a playground for political power."
The 90-year-old has frequently criticised Infantino's leadership, previously describing FIFA as a "dictatorship" in an interview with German newspaper Bild earlier this year.
Blatter resigned as FIFA president in 2015 amid a corruption crisis and was subsequently banned from football by the organisation's ethics committee.
FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban has drawn criticism from several prominent figures across the football world.
UEFA, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp have all publicly questioned the governing body's handling of the case.
Balogun is now available for selection as the United States take on Belgium in the World Cup knockout stage.
