He participated after Trump’s intervention.. Balogun, commenting on the controversy over his participation against Belgium: It is normal

US national football team player Folarin Balogun confirmed his understanding of the controversy sparked by the decision of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to allow him to participate against Belgium despite being suspended due to a red card.
“It is normal for the matter to become controversial when the decision is reversed,” Balogun said after the US team, one of the tournament’s hosts, exited the World Cup after a heavy 4-1 loss to Belgium, adding: “We accepted the decision when I saw the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were informed that I could play.”
Balogun received the red card during the round of 32 match against the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
The red card led to his automatic suspension for one match, but FIFA decided to suspend the implementation of the penalty in an almost unprecedented step, so that he could participate against Belgium. The International Federation also rejected the appeal submitted by the Belgian Federation.
This issue sparked a storm of controversy at the World Cup, and shocked football circles, as critics accused the International Federation of submitting to alleged political interference.
US President Donald Trump said at the White House: “I asked to review the footage because I did not think it was a violation,” adding that stopping the player would have left a “big stain” on the tournament.