Source says Trump asked FIFA chief to lift Balogun red card

Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.

Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

FIFA announced Sunday the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match in an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium's team. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension.

Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game asking FIFA review the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump said in a statement on social media.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished," and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA's action.

Balogun's red card had been one of the World Cup's most controversial and consequential decisions. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus didn't initially signal a card but showed Balogun red after a video review.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino applauded FIFA's move.

Pochettino, who played for Argentina in the 2002 World Cup, was not surprised Trump decided to call Infantino.

The host US is seeking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

The USSF did not make Balogun available for comment Sunday, but Balogun posted on social media a picture of himself in front of US fans and overlaid with music of Michael Jackson's pop single "Bad."

On Friday, Balogun said he thought a yellow card instead of red "would have been fair."