Fifa's integrity called into question | The Football Show

Did Donald Trump just get a red card overturned at the World Cup? FIFA are under fire after suspending Folarin Balogun's ban — and with the USA co-hosting, Tam McManus, Peter Martin and Alan Rough ask whether FIFA's integrity is up for sale. Here's the story. Folarin Balogun was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia & Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemović in the Round of 32, an automatic one-match ban that should have ruled the USMNT striker out of the Round of 16 against Belgium. Then, according to multiple reports, US President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino — on the very day of the red card — to ask for a review. Days later, FIFA suspended Balogun's ban for a one-year "probationary period" under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, clearing him to face Belgium. The reaction was ferocious. UEFA said FIFA had "crossed a red line," branding the U-turn "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." The Belgian FA said it was "astonished" and was granted an appeal, to be heard barely hours before kick-off. Norway's manager called it a "big mistake." Infantino, for his part, insists FIFA's disciplinary body is independent — and says that's exactly what he told Trump. So is this a genuine integrity scandal — the hosts getting a phone call from the White House and a favour from FIFA — or is it sour grapes from Belgium and UEFA? "It leaves a bad taste," says the panel, with Peter branding FIFA a "money-machine." Then the debate turns: is Peter right that England are semi-final bound, and can Roughie ever settle the GOAT argument between Messi, Ronaldo and Maradona? ⏱ Chapters 00:00 The World Cup so far 02:20 FIFA overturn Balogun's red card — integrity in question 14:00 England impress: who reaches the semi-finals? 23:10 The GOAT debate: Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona 30:40 The next Scotland manager Integrity scandal or sour grapes? Should a president be phoning FIFA about a red card at all? Let us know below 👇 Subscribe to PLZ Soccer for daily World Cup 2026 reaction, debate and analysis. #worldcup2026 #fifa #worldcup