Rio Ferdinand is going viral for response to FIFA lifting Folarin Balogun's red card suspension at World Cup

Rio Ferdinand has applauded FIFA's controversial decision to suspend the red card United States striker Folarin Balogun received in their World Cup clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun, who was shown a straight red card for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, will be available to play Tuesday's round-of-16 match against Belgium after FIFA said the one-match ban would be suspended for a year.

A statement from FIFA read: “In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

U.S. Soccer said it “accepted” and was “pleased” with the decision after US President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for "reversing a great injustice" in a post on social media.

Trump is said to have contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the red card to be reviewed, according to AFP and Reuters.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), meanwhile, are far from happy with the decision.

In fact, they are "investigating all potential options" and could refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to “protect the fundamental principles of fair play”.

Rio Ferdinand reacts to Balogun's one-game ban being suspended by FIFA

Shortly after the news was made official, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand reposted a story from FOX Sports on Balogun being able to play against Belgium.

He replied with three clapping emojis as if to voice his approval of the development.

After the decision was met with widespread outrage, many questioned Ferdinand's response to the news, including TV personality Piers Morgan, who wrote: "Really?!!".

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/Eo4OyxBNdu

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 5, 2026

Ferdinand's former teammate Gary Neville, meanwhile, has criticised the "shameful" decision, saying “it absolutely stinks”.

“It absolutely stinks, let’s be really clear. But the thing that stinks the most is there should be a review process in place," he said on ITV. “I actually didn’t think it was a red card and there should be a process that allows it to be overturned.

“But if there’s no process for it to be overturned, and then somehow FIFA, from nowhere, have just decided to basically let a player play, and the rules are [meant to be] the same for everybody, I would be absolutely raging if I was Belgium and every other team in the tournament that’s had a player sent off and might think they’re a little bit hard done to.

“Are we surprised? Not with this lot.”

Belgium release statement on FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun red card

A statement from RBFA read: “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July, at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

"FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

"However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

"Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5.

"If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."

"The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

"The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."