USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino says everyone should "celebrate" FIFA's controversial decision to decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play Belgium in the World Cup last-16 clash.
Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was dismissed during the second half of the World Cup co-hosts’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but on Sunday the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced it would suspend Balogun’s one-match ban by a probationary period of one year.
The decision has been welcomed by US President Donald Trump, while the Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” and “investigating all potential options”.
Writing on his Truth Social account, President Trump said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to “April Fool’s Day” and insisted his federation was “defending football”, while United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino defended the development, which emerged as his side prepared for the Seattle clash, taking place on Monday night local time.
Pochettino said he “wasn’t involved” in the decision, and “found out today before training”, claiming he “didn’t have time” to see President Trump’s remarks on social media but that his federation was “working really hard and trying to defend our situation”.
He added: “My reaction is like everyone. I really love the sport, and trust the ethic and integrity. I think we all celebrate that decision.”
“If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States,” he continued. “Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It’s not as if we’re benefiting. No, no.
“There’s no extraordinary gain we’re getting out of all this. I mean, ultimately, we aren’t victims, but we aren’t the villains of this story either.”
Asked about President Trump’s rumoured involvement, the former Tottenham boss insisted: “You cannot mix that. It is a decision from FIFA.”
