Controversial Fox Sports soccer pundit Alexi Lalas gloated over the divisive reinstatement of United States striker Folarin Balogun for the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The decision to give a one-year probation on Balogun’s suspension has drawn praise from Americans but widespread condemnation from the rest of the world.
Managers from rival nations, like Norway, have openly supported Belgium’s anger – with Red Devils boss Rudi Garcia saying the whole situation felt like ‘April Fools Day’ in July.
While an appeals process has begun, which could lead to Balogun being re-suspended for Monday evening’s match, Lalas openly gloated about the decision on an episode of Fox News’ morning talk show ‘Fox & Friends.’
‘Belgium wants to lawyer up against the United States. Go for it, have at it, uh, knock your socks off,’ a laughing Lalas said on the show.
He continued, saying, ‘this was a surprising but obviously a welcome bit of news to wake up to.’
Fox Sports broadcaster Alexi Lalas openly mocked Belgium for trying to appeal a controversy
USA striker Folarin Balogun will be clear to play against Belgium on Monday night after FIFA invoked a rule that suspended his one-match ban and allowed him to play in the Round of 16
The decision has drawn widespread condemnation and scorn from Belgium and the world
‘Yes, we scrambled around because it was international news, because it was, like I said, not expected. But I think what happened here is America stood up for itself.
‘The powers that be when it comes to the United States Soccer Federation did what they needed to do within the rules and regulations that exist in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of being successful.
‘And they stood up for Folarin Balogun. They stood up for this team. They stood up for this country. And it could have gone either way.
‘If you don’t like it, and there are lots of people this morning that are miffed about it, then take it up, take it up with FIFA… Belgium, I think fairly and not unexpectedly, is not happy about this, and they certainly can do whatever they feel is appropriate in order to try to change this.
‘And who knows, maybe at the 11th hour before we kick off tonight, things change. But until then, we got Balogun, and that’s a good thing from a competitive perspective, because we are going to need all guns blazing tonight when it comes to the game against Belgium.’
Following the decision, Trump posted to Truth Social: ‘Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!’
White House sources have confirmed to the Daily Mail that Trump took the extraordinary step of reaching out to Infantino, ahead of FIFA’s staggering decision to suspend the ban.
The President’s intervention would appear to make a mockery of the competition’s integrity and has, unsurprisingly, triggered widespread condemnation.
On Monday, President Trump confirmed he asked for Gianni Infantino to ‘review’ the red card
Trump said the referee who sent Balogun off, Brazilian Raphael Claus, had a ‘suspect past’
Further reports in the US claimed Trump, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and White House task force head Andrew Giuliani put together a crack legal team to challenge the dismissal.
The decision has also sparked anger within the Belgium team and it’s understood they are considering taking legal action and referring the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump publicly confirmed his involvement and called referee Raphael Claus – the match official who gave Balogun the red card against Bosnia – ‘suspect’.
‘Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA,’ Trump said. ‘That’s all I did. And, you know, again, I’m good at this stuff. That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other.
‘You can’t properly place your foot on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. No, these were two great athletes who got tangled up. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect – if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’
Claus was once accused of match-fixing in 2023 in Brazil but was never charged with any wrongdoing and there is no suggestion of any type of allegation aimed at Claus in this World Cup.
