{"id":155856,"date":"2026-07-06T11:38:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/07\/06\/america-now-cares-enough-about-soccer-to-play-fifas-game-and-europe-is-mad-about-it\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T11:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:38:32","slug":"america-now-cares-enough-about-soccer-to-play-fifas-game-and-europe-is-mad-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/07\/06\/america-now-cares-enough-about-soccer-to-play-fifas-game-and-europe-is-mad-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"America Now Cares Enough About Soccer To Play FIFA\u2019s Game, And Europe Is Mad About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

By now you\u2019ve heard the broad strokes<\/a> \u2014 Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Andrew Giuliani (yes, that<\/em> Giuliani\u2019s kid, now serving as executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup) recruited lawyers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick got on the phone, and then, in a decision UEFA Europa League called \u201cunprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable,\u201d FIFA\u2019s Disciplinary Committee suspended U.S. striker Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-game red card ban, clearing him to face Belgium in tonight\u2019s round of 16.<\/p>\n

Trump, naturally, took his victory lap on Truth Social. \u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d I mean, sure, man.<\/p>\n

Now, there\u2019s been a lot of takes about whether FIFA\u2019s decision was legitimate, whether Trump\u2019s involvement was appropriate, whether Europe is mad (they are). But here at Above the Law, we have our priorities. And our priorities are: Belgium lawyered up. Let\u2019s talk about that.<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what actually happened<\/a>, procedurally. VAR rules say that slow-motion replay should only be used for \u201cfacts,\u201d such as the point of contact for physical fouls or handball calls, while normal speed video should be used to judge intent. The referee apparently used slow-motion to judge the intent question, which is a VAR no-no<\/a>. On the merits, both things can be true \u2014 Trump\u2019s involvement is gross, and<\/em> it probably never should have been a red card in the first place.<\/p>\n

As Elie Mystal put it on Bluesky<\/a>, \u201cSuing our way to justice is the most AMERICA, FUCK YEAH thing ever. It was never a red card. And it\u2019s never \u2018classy\u2019 or whatever to just eat injustice like there\u2019s nothing you can ever do about it.\u201d That\u2019s a clean summary, actually.<\/p>\n

FIFA\u2019s Disciplinary Committee, in its brief statement, did not provide the reason behind its decision \u2014 just vibes and Article 27 (Article 27 of its disciplinary code allows its judicial body to \u201cfully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure\u201d).<\/p>\n

Belgium\u2019s response was to do what any sensible party does when they get a decision with no reasoning attached: they asked for the paperwork. I mean, what does FIFA think this is? The Shadow Docket?!?<\/p>\n

The RBFA said it had still not received \u201cFIFA\u2019s decision or any explanation regarding this matter\u201d and sent a letter requesting a copy of the decision and an explanation of the process. FIFA\u2019s response? It decided that letter was<\/em> an appeal, appointed a judge, and gave Belgium only a few hours to complete that appeal. \u201cWhile the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible,\u201d the federation said. \u201cAll of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA\u2019s legitimate requests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brent Scher reported the news<\/a> that Belgium had \u201clawyered up\u201d to fight back against FIFA\u2019s decision, per a local reporter for the team. Fair enough\u2026 but here\u2019s the thing you\u2019ve gotta know about lawyering up against American lawyers specifically.<\/p>\n

Eric Pacifici, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SMB Law Group<\/a>, posted<\/a>, \u201cYour lawyers have an away message up and are on holiday until September. Our lawyers work so hard we have 45% clinical depression. Trust me, you don\u2019t want this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Okay, clinical depression is not actually a flex. And yet, it *does* speak to a certain ethos. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, SEC Barstool noted<\/a>, \u201cOur lawyers got Trinidad Chambliss an 11th year of eligibility y\u2019all waffle folks don\u2019t stand a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

(For the non-college sports fans: Trinidad Chambliss is the Ole Miss quarterback whose lawyers, after the NCAA denied his medical waiver request not once but twice, sued in Mississippi state court, got a judge to rule the NCAA had \u201coperated in bad faith,\u201d watched the NCAA file a 658-page appeal, and then watched that appeal get denied too. He is about to start his sixth<\/em> year of college football.)<\/p>\n

Europe is upset about political interference in sporting governance, which, fair. There is no known precedent for a political leader pressuring FIFA about who can play in a game, let alone one so important to a host nation\u2019s chances of advancing. But let\u2019s also not pretend this is FIFA\u2019s first flirtation<\/a> with corruption<\/a>. Plus, FIFA quietly did a version of this for Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s qualifying red card<\/a>. Weird how UEFA didn\u2019t get its panties in a twist when a Portuguese star got to play. So, miss me with the outrage now. <\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless of the sporting outcome of the match,\u201d the Belgian federation said, \u201c(we are) deeply concerned by the way these events have unfolded and will continue, in the hours, days and months ahead, to pursue every available avenue to uphold the fundamental principles of ethics, sporting fairness and the interests of football as a whole.\u201d Honestly, you\u2019d think a sports club with the particular relationship to surrealism<\/a> that Belgium has would lean into it. <\/p>\n

America now cares enough about soccer to play the game FIFA has always been playing \u2014 maybe that\u2019s not great, but I can\u2019t get too worked up about it. Honestly, the hypocrisy I really want to talk about is Donald Trump\u2019s apparent turnaround on birthright citizenship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of\u00a0The Jabot podcast<\/a>, and co-host of\u00a0Thinking Like A Lawyer<\/a>. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email\u00a0her<\/a>\u00a0with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter\u00a0@Kathryn1<\/a>\u00a0or Bluesky\u00a0@Kathryn1<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The post America Now Cares Enough About Soccer To Play FIFA\u2019s Game, And Europe Is Mad About It<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFolarin Balogun (Photo by Xu Chang\/Xinhua via Getty Images)\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By now you\u2019ve heard the broad strokes<\/a> \u2014 Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Andrew Giuliani (yes, that<\/em> Giuliani\u2019s kid, now serving as executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup) recruited lawyers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick got on the phone, and then, in a decision UEFA Europa League called \u201cunprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable,\u201d FIFA\u2019s Disciplinary Committee suspended U.S. striker Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-game red card ban, clearing him to face Belgium in tonight\u2019s round of 16.<\/p>\n

Trump, naturally, took his victory lap on Truth Social. \u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d I mean, sure, man.<\/p>\n

Now, there\u2019s been a lot of takes about whether FIFA\u2019s decision was legitimate, whether Trump\u2019s involvement was appropriate, whether Europe is mad (they are). But here at Above the Law, we have our priorities. And our priorities are: Belgium lawyered up. Let\u2019s talk about that.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what actually happened<\/a>, procedurally. VAR rules say that slow-motion replay should only be used for \u201cfacts,\u201d such as the point of contact for physical fouls or handball calls, while normal speed video should be used to judge intent. The referee apparently used slow-motion to judge the intent question, which is a VAR no-no<\/a>. On the merits, both things can be true \u2014 Trump\u2019s involvement is gross, and<\/em> it probably never should have been a red card in the first place.<\/p>\n

As Elie Mystal put it on Bluesky<\/a>, \u201cSuing our way to justice is the most AMERICA, FUCK YEAH thing ever. It was never a red card. And it\u2019s never \u2018classy\u2019 or whatever to just eat injustice like there\u2019s nothing you can ever do about it.\u201d That\u2019s a clean summary, actually.<\/p>\n

FIFA\u2019s Disciplinary Committee, in its brief statement, did not provide the reason behind its decision \u2014 just vibes and Article 27 (Article 27 of its disciplinary code allows its judicial body to \u201cfully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure\u201d).<\/p>\n

Belgium\u2019s response was to do what any sensible party does when they get a decision with no reasoning attached: they asked for the paperwork. I mean, what does FIFA think this is? The Shadow Docket?!?<\/p>\n

The RBFA said it had still not received \u201cFIFA\u2019s decision or any explanation regarding this matter\u201d and sent a letter requesting a copy of the decision and an explanation of the process. FIFA\u2019s response? It decided that letter was<\/em> an appeal, appointed a judge, and gave Belgium only a few hours to complete that appeal. \u201cWhile the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible,\u201d the federation said. \u201cAll of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA\u2019s legitimate requests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brent Scher reported the news<\/a> that Belgium had \u201clawyered up\u201d to fight back against FIFA\u2019s decision, per a local reporter for the team. Fair enough\u2026 but here\u2019s the thing you\u2019ve gotta know about lawyering up against American lawyers specifically.<\/p>\n

Eric Pacifici, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SMB Law Group<\/a>, posted<\/a>, \u201cYour lawyers have an away message up and are on holiday until September. Our lawyers work so hard we have 45% clinical depression. Trust me, you don\u2019t want this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Okay, clinical depression is not actually a flex. And yet, it *does* speak to a certain ethos. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, SEC Barstool noted<\/a>, \u201cOur lawyers got Trinidad Chambliss an 11th year of eligibility y\u2019all waffle folks don\u2019t stand a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

(For the non-college sports fans: Trinidad Chambliss is the Ole Miss quarterback whose lawyers, after the NCAA denied his medical waiver request not once but twice, sued in Mississippi state court, got a judge to rule the NCAA had \u201coperated in bad faith,\u201d watched the NCAA file a 658-page appeal, and then watched that appeal get denied too. He is about to start his sixth<\/em> year of college football.)<\/p>\n

Europe is upset about political interference in sporting governance, which, fair. There is no known precedent for a political leader pressuring FIFA about who can play in a game, let alone one so important to a host nation\u2019s chances of advancing. But let\u2019s also not pretend this is FIFA\u2019s first flirtation<\/a> with corruption<\/a>. Plus, FIFA quietly did a version of this for Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s qualifying red card<\/a>. Weird how UEFA didn\u2019t get its panties in a twist when a Portuguese star got to play. So, miss me with the outrage now. <\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless of the sporting outcome of the match,\u201d the Belgian federation said, \u201c(we are) deeply concerned by the way these events have unfolded and will continue, in the hours, days and months ahead, to pursue every available avenue to uphold the fundamental principles of ethics, sporting fairness and the interests of football as a whole.\u201d Honestly, you\u2019d think a sports club with the particular relationship to surrealism<\/a> that Belgium has would lean into it. <\/p>\n

America now cares enough about soccer to play the game FIFA has always been playing \u2014 maybe that\u2019s not great, but I can\u2019t get too worked up about it. Honestly, the hypocrisy I really want to talk about is Donald Trump\u2019s apparent turnaround on birthright citizenship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of\u00a0The Jabot podcast<\/a>, and co-host of\u00a0Thinking Like A Lawyer<\/a>. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email\u00a0her<\/a>\u00a0with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter\u00a0@Kathryn1<\/a>\u00a0or Bluesky\u00a0@Kathryn1<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By now you\u2019ve heard the broad strokes \u2014 Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Andrew Giuliani (yes, that Giuliani\u2019s kid, now serving as executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup) recruited lawyers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick got on the phone, and then, in a decision UEFA Europa League called […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":155847,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/xira.com\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_5243-1-scaled-e1623338814705-620x568-euaMvM.jpg?fit=620%2C568&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155856"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155856\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}