Ben Leo has taken to social media to express his dismay at Fifa after the football governing body permitted Folarin Balogun to feature in the United States’ World Cup knockout fixture against Belgium on Monday.
The decision, which was endorsed by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on X, comes despite the striker receiving a red card in his last match.
The 25-year-old forward, who tops the American scoring charts with three goals at the tournament, faced missing the crucial last-16 encounter following his dismissal during Wednesday’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, football’s world governing body announced on Sunday that the automatic ban would not be enforced immediately, instead placing the striker on probation for 12 months.
Ben Leo has been reporting from the USA and Mexico this World Cup
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GB NEWS
Fifa cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code when explaining the ruling, stating that the match suspension would be held in abeyance for a probationary period lasting one year.
The governing body made clear that should the former Arsenal striker commit a comparable offence during this period, the original ban would be reinstated alongside any additional punishment for the new transgression.
The move has prompted outrage from all corners of the footballing world, and the USA’s upcoming opponents, Belgium, have expressed astonishment at the outcome.
The ruling attracted a more positive reaction from the highest levels of American politics, however. President Donald Trump publicly thanked Fifa for suspending the red card on Sunday.
Rio Ferdinand applauded the decision
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PABen, a keen Arsenal fan who has been reporting on the World Cup from the USA, Mexico, and Canada for GB News, was bewildered by the decision and took to X to express as much.
“This is outrageous,” he wrote in response to President Trump’s reaction to the decision before taking aim at Fifa more broadly in a separate post.
Pulling no punches, he penned: “FIFA is a greedy and corrupt organisation. There is no red card appeals process.
“FIFA Disciplinary Code (Article 66.4): A sending-off automatically suspends the player for the next match. FIFA judicial bodies can add further sanctions but do not allow teams to appeal the initial red card or one-game ban.”
Folarin Balogun is now available to face Belgium
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GETTYWhile on the warpath, Ben then took aim at the aforementioned Ferdinand, who reacted to suspension news with a series of applause emojis.
“What are you cheering boss? FIFA corruption?” Ben furiously hit out, and he was far from alone as Ferdinand found himself inundated with critical X posts.
Ben has been at the front and centre of the action this World Cup, and on Saturday night, he even confronted a group of rowdy Mexican fans trying to keep the England team awake at night outside their hotel.
Shortly after midnight in Mexico City, unsportsmanlike supporters began launching fireworks, beating drums, and chanting opposite the Three Lions’ digs.
What are you cheering boss? FIFA corruption?
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) July 5, 2026
England face Mexico in their round of 16 fixture in the early hours of Monday morning. The winner will face either Norway or Brazil in the next round.
Meanwhile, following the Balogun ruling, the US Soccer Federation confirmed it would not be making the striker available for media interviews on Sunday.
Speaking on Friday, Balogun maintained his innocence over the incident, insisting the contact was entirely accidental.
“First and foremost, it was totally unintentional,” he said. “I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call.
FIFA is a greedy and corrupt organisation.
There is no red card appeals process.
FIFA Disciplinary Code (Article 66.4): A sending-off automatically suspends the player for the next match. FIFA judicial bodies can add further sanctions but do not allow teams to appeal the… https://t.co/ciBASx3Oc0
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) July 5, 2026
“I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional.”
The striker reflected on experiencing a range of emotions following his dismissal but emphasised the importance of remaining composed.
“There are still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust,” he added.