Klopp weighs into FIFA-Trump madness" over red card u-turn

Former Liverpool coach and Germany's new international boss Jurgen Klopp has come out swinging for Gianni Infantino and the red card farce that has overshadowed the World Cup.

A day after the USA were bundled out in humiliating fashion in a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, Klopp said the involvement of Donald Trump in any overturning of a red card was "madness".

Folarin Balogun was shown red against Bosnia in the round of 32 and was set to miss the USA's clash with Belgium - that was until the president made a phone call to FIFA and the mandatory one-match ban was suspended.

It sparked outrage around the world with former players, coaches and even Sepp Blatter - Infantino's predecessor at FIFA - condemning the decision.

Now, Klopp has given his thoughts amid calls for Infantino to resign.

“This is our sport, not theirs,” Klopp said. “If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.

"That was a red card, there's no two ways about it. We're sorry for Balogun because he didn't mean to do it, but that's what the rules say."

Former England star Gary Linekar said the USA should have left Balogun out of their starting line-up.

“They didn’t let that decision get to them, bringing Balogun back," Lineker said. "And I thought this at the time, it would have been a good play for either Balogun or Mauricio Pochettino to just say, actually, I don’t think that’s right for football, the integrity of the game, the integrity of the sport. And I wonder whether they were better off just saying, ‘Actually, we’re going to leave him out anyway’.

Bozza FIFA-Trump red card deal has "rocked foundations of football"

Amid a wave of global outrage, SEN’s Football experts have had their say on FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card so the USA striker could play Belgium in his country’s last 16 clash.

USA president Donald Trump has revealed he stepped in to challenge the red card and called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino urging a review.

“I’m the one that got them to do it,” Trump said.

“I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports. That wasn’t a foul.

“That wasn’t even an infraction… this referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe… he’s our best player, or one of our best players. And he gave him a red card.

“I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out, I said: ‘You gotta be kidding!’ “Yes, I asked for a review by Fifa.”

Balogun was dismissed during his side’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week and while his ban has been suspended, he is still on the hook for a $40,000 fine.

UEFA are among the growing number of governing bodies and outlets to slam the move saying it was an “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision”.

Belgium, who were told by FIFA they could not appeal the decision because they were not involved in the original backflip have announced they will look at "all other actions".

Speaking on SEN this morning, former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said the decision ”rocked the foundations of football”.

“It was not a red card,” Bosnich said. “Balogun - it was wreck less and yellow but the process afterwards has rocked the foundations of football in my opinion.”

“We have the rules in place before hand. This situation is avoidable. They’re going too far with VAR.

“So now are we going to a courtroom to decide a game? We are risking making supporters indifferent to what is happening in the World Cup.

“I plead with FIFA, going forward, follow your own statutes.

“I can understand the sentiment form England and their red card, France and the Olise yellow. This is the can of worms it has opened.”

Bosnich was not the only one outraged by the actions of FIFA with Adam Peacock saying he despised what was happening.

"I hate it," Peacock said on SEN. "It’s an uneasy feeling. The England red card was less clumsy than Balogun, but the protocol was followed by VAR.

"The largest – it’s not a can of worms that’s been opened it’s a vat. Now what? Every time you don’t like a decision you appeal it?

"Trump is involved, he’s made a call, he says he didn’t demand Infantino change it, but Gianni is not the dumbest bloke, he’s copped the tip. It sits uneasy."

Balogun was named by the USA to start the match.

Amid all the criticism of FIFA and the decision that have been made, Archie Thompson questioned how the player himself might be feeling.

"The red card that has been taken away from Balogun; it was a disgrace," Thompson said. "I don’t even know how the player would feel about it and how it’s been rescinded and he has to come out now and there will be eyes on him and if he scores.

"It’s an unbelievable decision and it’s left such a bitter taste. This World Cup has been excellent and now one silly moment, hopefully we’re talking about it too much."

Belgium say the are yet to receive any kind of explanation from FIFA.

“To date, the Royal Belgian FA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure,” a statement said.

“Fifa has yet to provide us with a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report – this is a breach of Fifa regulations.

“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.”