local
FIFA criticized for decision to lift U.S. star's red card suspension following Trump phone call
By Duarte Dias at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· July 6, 2026
· 4 min read
FIFA is being criticized over its decision to lift the red card suspension for leading U.S. Men's National Team scorer Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium on Monday.The Union of European Football Associations, Europe's soccer governing body, said FIFA "crossed a red line," and e...
Key takeaway The Union of European Football Associations, Europe's soccer governing body, said FIFA "crossed a red line," and expressed its "disbelief" at a decision it called "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The controversy surrounding FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's red card suspension has significant implications for local soccer fans in Southlake , who are eagerly following the US Men's National Team's progress in the World Cup. As a community with a strong interest in the sport, the perception that external influences, such as a phone call from President Trump, can impact the outcome of games undermines the integrity of the competition. This development may also spark debate among local soccer enthusiasts, with some questioning the fairness of the decision and others defending the move as a necessary review of the suspension. The fact that the US team is set to play against Belgium on Monday adds to the local interest, and fans in Southlake will be watching closely to see how the team performs with Balogun back on the field.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more Southlake News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FIFA is being criticized over its decision to lift the red card suspension for leading U.S. Men's National Team scorer Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium on Monday.The Union of European Football Associations, Europe's soccer governing body, said FIFA "crossed a red line," and e...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Duarte Dias at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter