Faulty reasoning signals

• Confirmation Bias - 3.4% (107 hits)
• Anchoring Bias - 0%
• Availability Heuristic - 4% (125 hits)
• Representativeness Heuristic - 0.2% (7 hits)
• Hindsight Bias - 0.9% (29 hits)
• Overconfidence Bias - 2% (62 hits)
• Framing Effect - 2.9% (92 hits)
• Loss Aversion - 0%
• Status Quo Bias - 0.5% (17 hits)
• Sunk Cost Effect - 0%
• Optimism Bias - 0.4% (14 hits)
• Pessimism Bias - 2.7% (84 hits)

Article text

FIFA President Says Balogun Decision Was Independent Despite Trump Contact

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension was made independently by FIFA’s disciplinary bodies and followed standard procedures, after the red card reversal drew political and sporting controversy following intervention from President Donald Trump.

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun,” he said.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent.

They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.”

Balogun was expected to miss the Round of 16 match against Belgium after being shown a red card in the previous knockout round.

FIFA later overturned the suspension following a review by its disciplinary bodies, drawing criticism from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and UEFA, the governing body of European soccer.

Infantino confirmed he received a call from President Donald Trump during the process but said the case was already under review.

“I did receive a call from President Donald Trump,” he said.

“I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course.”

He added that while he regularly speaks with world leaders and stakeholders, FIFA’s decision-making process remains unchanged.

“What I always do is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them,” he said, noting that he sometimes agrees or disagrees with rulings but always accepts them.

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Marco Rubio Defends FIFA Overturning Balogun Ban, Calls Initial Decision ‘Bad’

U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Newsweek that FIFA made the right decision in overturning Folarin Balogun’s suspension, calling the initial red card “a bad decision."

“It was a bad decision.

They shouldn't even be reviewing these things on slow motion, right?

It should be reviewed in live action.

I think it was the right decision to reverse it.”

Rubio also questioned what he described as the competitive fairness of a match played without a key player on the field.

“If you're Belgian, why would you want to play a game like winning a match and then everyone will argue you didn't really win it because their best player, the leading scorer, was not on the pitch?”

he said, adding that victories are more meaningful when both teams are at full strength.

He acknowledged the controversy but said the reversal was justified.

“I think it was the right decision, obviously.

There's a lot of drama around it and so forth,” Rubio said.

“The guy's head wasn't even looking down.

It wasn't like he knew where he was stepping.”

Rubio added that the dispute had taken on outsized attention but hoped the match would proceed without further controversy.

"It is maybe turning into an international incident,” he said, “but I just hope the match will go on, everyone will be at full strength, and the winner will be the winner.”

Infantino Says FIFA Ruling on Balogun Was Independent Despite Trump Contact

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the decision on Folarin Balogun’s suspension was made independently by FIFA’s disciplinary bodies and followed standard procedures.

Balogun's Decision Creates Rules Nightmare for FIFA

France has appealed a yellow card shown to midfielder Michael Olise during the team's last-16 win over Paraguay, though the French federation says the appeal is unrelated to the Balogun case.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said the precedent set by the Balogun ruling raises questions that go beyond one match.

"Who overturns this decision then, and when?

And on what grounds?

How far does this go now?"

Tuchel said.

"This is strange for me.

Where does this start and where does this end?"

The trouble surfaced hours after Balogun's reprieve, when England defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review in the Three Lions' 3-2 win over Mexico.

Under FIFA's rules, Quansah now faces an automatic one-match ban that would keep him out of Saturday's quarterfinal against Norway.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney argued on the BBC that FIFA has no grounds left to treat Quansah differently than Balogun.

"Infantino should be ashamed of this," Rooney said, calling the American's suspended ban "an absolute disgrace."

Labour lawmaker Noah Law has written to Infantino asking FIFA to delay Quansah's suspension until after the World Cup, telling the FIFA president it would be "right to delay his suspension" even though the red card itself was correctly given.

Downing Street distanced itself from the request, with a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying such decisions "are for the football governing body."

FIFA Dismisses Belgium's Challenge to Balogun's Eligibility

FIFA has dismissed a challenge from Belgium over Folarin Balogun's eligibility to play in Monday's Round of 16 match, according to a report from The Athletic's Adam Crafton.

The Royal Belgian Football Association formally objected after FIFA's Disciplinary Committee suspended Balogun's one-match ban late Saturday, saying it had "no alternative but to challenge" his eligibility.

FIFA's appeal committee ruled the request inadmissible, finding that the Belgian federation had no standing to bring it.

FIFA said in a statement that "the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision."

The RBFA acknowledged the ruling but said it had not been given the reasoning behind it.

In a statement, the federation said it had not received "any grounds for this decision," nor the documentation it had requested since the process began, including a copy of the decision, the motivation for declaring Balogun eligible, and the referee's report.

The federation said withholding that information was "a breach of FIFA regulations."

Belgium said it has told U.S.

Soccer it still contests Balogun's eligibility if he appears on the team sheet Monday, and that "further actions" remain open.

Former FIFA Anti-Corruption Adviser Calls Trump Call 'Abuse of Power'

FIFA’s former anti-corruption adviser told Newsweek that President Donald Trump’s phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino before world soccer's governing body lifted a red-card suspension for United States forward Folarin Balogun was "a blatant abuse of power."

Mark Pieth, a Swiss attorney who chaired the Independent Governance Committee’s oversight of FIFA reform a decade ago, said: "This is another example of blatant abuse of power.

"It demonstrates how President Trump and Mr.

Infantino are playing the power game at the expense of football and fans."

His remarks come as the Belgian soccer federation said it is challenging FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension, hours before Belgium is set to take on the United States for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said in a statement on Monday morning that it has still not received either "FIFA’s decision or any explanation regarding this matter.

In these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge [Balogun's] eligibility for the upcoming match."

FIFA's decision reversed what had been expected to be a mandatory suspension after Balogun received a straight red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina last Wednesday.

Under FIFA tournament regulations, a direct dismissal carries an automatic one-match ban, and soccer officials had previously indicated the decision could not be appealed.

Trump called Infantino after Wednesday's game asking FIFA to review the red card, The Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A White House official confirmed to Newsweek that Trump did speak with Infantino, but said the president "wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension."

The official added: "The appeal process is run by an independent board.

The U.S. government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.

Ultimately the correct and proper outcome was achieved."

In remarks in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump confirmed that he had asked FIFA to review Balogun’s suspension.

“He didn't do anything wrong, and he's our best player, or one of our best players,” Trump said of Balogun.

He added that he didn’t initially know what the penalty for receiving a red card was.

“I didn't know what that meant.

I didn't think it meant much.

Then I started hearing that that means he can't play in the next game,” Trump said.

“It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn't been played yet?

It's very unfair, you can't do that.

So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.”

Belgium Challenges FIFA's Decision

The Belgian federation said in a statement on Monday that it learned through media reports about FIFA’s decision and sent a letter to the governing body requesting a copy of the decision as well as an explanation of the process.

"As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal," it said.

"No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA."

The RBFA insisted that FIFA’s regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant.

"While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible," the statement said.

"All of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA’s legitimate requests."

The RBFA also said that during a match coordination meeting, FIFA had "deliberately removed the section concerning the automatic suspension of players from its presentation."

It said it had questioned FIFA—verbally and in writing—about the change but had received no response.

"To be clear, as of this moment, the RBFA has still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter.

It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match," the statement concluded.

"Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole."

FIFA’s ruling on Sunday—to defer Balogun’s ban for one year of probation—has prompted outrage, including from UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, as well as former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia.

In an earlier statement, the RBFA said it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision and "investigating all options."

Blatter Slams Trump's Call

Blatter called out FIFA’s decision to lift a red-card suspension on behalf of Balogun, responding to Trump's intervention in a post on X early Monday, writing: "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls.

They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.

"If a U.S.

President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?

Football must never become a playground for political power."

Newsweek has contacted Blatter for further comment via an email to the Sepp Blatter Foundation.

Blatter was president of the world’s governing body for soccer from 1998 until 2015.

He resigned amid an investigation into corruption.

In January, Blatter warned fans to reconsider traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup.

"'For the fans, there's only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!'

I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup," Blatter posted on X.

It came after Pieth, who was brought in by Blatter between 2011 and 2014 to help reform FIFA during a period of intense scrutiny over alleged corruption, expressed concerns about fans visiting the U.S. because of deaths linked to immigration enforcement and protests, as well as what he described as an increasingly authoritarian political climate under Trump.

"For fans, there is only one piece of advice: stay away from the United States," Pieth said in an interview with the Swiss outlet Tages-Anzeiger.

Blatter Acquitted on Fraud Charges

Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini were acquitted for a second time last year on charges of fraud, forgery, mismanagement and misappropriation of more than $2 million of FIFA money in 2011.

Swiss federal prosecutors later said they would not appeal against the acquittals, ending their case against Blatter and Platini after 10 years.

The first trial was in 2022.

Both men denied wrongdoing and claimed the money was delayed payment for contracted work by Platini as a FIFA adviser during Blatter’s first term as president through 2002.

The payment of FIFA money to France soccer great Platini emerged in 2015 during federal investigations of the governing body and international soccer officials by federal investigators in the United States and Switzerland.

The allegations were not proven in court, but led to both men being removed from office.

In 2016, Gianni Infantino became FIFA president.

FIFA’s Move Draws Praise From Trump, Outrage From Belgian Officials

Under FIFA tournament regulations, a direct dismissal such as Balogun's last Wednesday carries an automatic one-match ban, and officials had previously indicated the decision could not be appealed.

But FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted, using a provision in its disciplinary code to defer the punishment.

It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup finals match didn’t result in a suspension.

"In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," FIFA said.

"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

Trump quickly reacted to the news, writing on Truth Social: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

But the move triggered outrage from Belgian soccer officials.

In a statement, the RBFA said it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision.

The FIFA Disciplinary Code "clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup," the RBFA's statement said.

It also said that FIFA’s decision to lift the suspension "is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations."

It added: "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

Trump Courted By FIFA

The decision to lift Balogun's suspension was praised by Trump, who according to a range of reports, had phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking for the red-card decision to be reviewed.

The Guardian reported that Trump had made three calls for FIFA to make the change, citing three unnamed sources.

The White House official said the president did speak with Infantino but said he had "wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension."

Newsweek has contacted FIFA for comment on the claims, which follow scrutiny over Trump’s ties with the body’s president.

Infantino has repeatedly praised Trump, saying in 2025: "I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider really a close friend."

FIFA honored Trump with its inaugural Peace Price in 2025 in a decision criticized as ingratiating the U.S. president.

Trump received the award during the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington and a FIFA video praised Trump’s foreign policy efforts.

The award prompted 50 members of the European Parliament to demand FIFA investigate its chief over violations of the federation’s neutrality rules, according to Politico citing a letter which backs a complaint filed by human rights NGO FairSquare.

A disclosure reported last week by CNBC shows Infantino gave Trump 10 tickets, valued at $15,000, to last July’s FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey between Chelsea and Paris St.

Germain, after which Trump presented the trophy.

Infantino announced last month that Trump would return to MetLife Stadium on July 19 to help present the World Cup trophy.

Belgium Coach Mocks FIFA's Decision

"I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe," Belgium coach Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools’ Day comparison.

"The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team.

She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics.

I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision."

FIFA in November deferred the final two games of a three-match ban for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play at the start of the tournament.

Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi and Ecuadoran midfielder Moisés Caicedo in April had one-game bans deferred for red cards in qualifiers, also allowing them to be available for World Cup openers.

UEFA Calls Out FIFA: 'Crossed A Red Line’

European soccer body UEFA has criticized FIFA’s decision as "incomprehensible and unjustifiable."

In a statement, UEFA said FIFA "crossed a red line" with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban.

"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition," the statement said.

"Sometimes rules are open to interpretation.

In this case not."

It added: "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.

Equally, such [a] decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.

"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws.

A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

*Update 7/6/26, 10:30 a.m.

ET: This article has been updated with comment from Mark Pieth, a new headline and further information.

*

*Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips*