Controversy after World Cup red card overturned

**Alex Ritson** (0:00)
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Monday 6 July, these are our main stories. A World Cup red card turns into a Trump card. The US President successfully lobbies FIFA to suspend a one-match ban on the American team's top striker, Folarin Balogun. Raging wildfires, found by strong winds, create inferno-like conditions in large parts of southern Europe. Three sons of the assassinated Iranian supreme leader join mourners at his funeral, but his successor and other son, Mojtaba, isn't there.
Also in this podcast…

**Alice Gorman** (0:43)
These particular ones are shiny, and if they'd come back in through the atmosphere as space junk often does, they should be a bit scorched and charred. They shouldn't be quite so shiny.

**Alex Ritson** (0:54)
The mysterious metallic balls that have washed up in Australia.
At the Men's Football World Cup, the teams are slowly being whittled down in the knockout matches, but there's been controversy off the pitch. The US star striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the co-host's showdown with Belgium despite getting a red card in the last match that should have earned him a one-match ban. The suspension was reportedly overturned after President Trump phoned FIFA, which runs the World Cup. Earlier, I spoke to our sports correspondent John Bennett, who's in the US for the World Cup. I asked him what happened with the red card and what the Belgian team think about it.

**John Bennett** (1:38)
This is the big talking point on the TV stations here and out on the streets where I am in Philadelphia amongst USA fans.
The star man with three goals suddenly available again. He was showing that straight red card for a foul on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender. But I have to say the general consensus from pundits and former referees was that the decision of showing him the red card was harsh. He accidentally stepped on the player's ankle. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who demanded the decision be reviewed.
The red card should have meant a one game ban, but now, as you say, FIFA say that will be suspended so he can play and it's very controversial. You mention Belgium, they are furious. Their manager, Rudy Garcia, today said in the press conference, he wondered if it was April Fool's Day. The Belgian FA say they're astonished. They're considering all potential options. There is no precedent of this happening at a World Cup. There is a precedent pre-World Cup. You may remember this, Cristiano Ronaldo was red carded in one of the final qualifying matches for Portugal. But FIFA suspended a two game ban for him for a year. But yeah, massive talking point here. Big story in the US.

**Alex Ritson** (2:45)
And I thought you weren't allowed to appeal against a red card. If you got a red card, you got a red card.

**John Bennett** (2:51)
This is the accusation that's being made towards FIFA that they're making up the rules as they go along. Because that's what everybody thought, that you weren't able to appeal this. But they are pointing to the regulations which say this can be overturned. It's at their discretion. They're also saying it's independent, despite some of the speculation around this decision. And, yes, Balogun will be able to play in this game. It's a massive boost for the USA, although Mauricio Pochettino himself has said, it's great news, but we're getting this a bit late, because I'm sure he'd planned for the game without his star striker. Now he's putting him in. It's a great bonus, but it will change his plans.

**Alex Ritson** (3:26)
Moving to news on the pitch. A dramatic match between Norway and Brazil today.

**John Bennett** (3:33)
Massive disappointment for Brazil. Their earliest exit from the World Cup since 1990 And it was a poor performance in terms of how much of the ball they had, how much possession they had, and the chances they wasted. A missed penalty from Bruno Guemma-Reyes. First Brazilian to miss at a World Cup for 40 years. Endrick, who all the fans wanted to see on the pitch, he came on missed a brilliant chance.
And then at the other end, Norway have one of the best strikers in the world, Erling Haaland. And when he got his first opportunity on 79 minutes ahead, he made no mistake. Ten minutes later, he scored a great goal from outside of the box. So Norway make history. They're through to the quarterfinals for the first time.
But all of the talk will be about Brazil, one of the worst teams they've sent to a World Cup. And Neymar, who has struggled with injury during this tournament after the game, he announced this will be the end of his international career.