The United States have been dumped out of the World Cup, humiliated 4-1 by Belgium – and the gleeful reaction of the rest of the world.After FIFA reversed the red-card suspension of USA star Folarin Balogun following pressure from President Donald Trump, critics had warned that the integrity of the beautiful game was at stake.And, led by the Trump-dancing Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, the reaction has been one of mockery. And Iran FA spokesperson this morning said: ‘Now the whole world is dancing to celebrate politics’ humiliating defeat by football.’ While Belgium, who were furious with Trump’s Balogun intervention, wrote on their official social media accounts: ‘Overturn this.’Mauricio Pochettino’s team were humiliated. Belgium opened the scoring in just the ninth minute after some sloppy defending was capitalised upon by Charles De Ketelaere. Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick brought the USA level but De Ketelaere scored again just minutes later and a horror error from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed Hans Vanaken to add a third Belgium goal.Lukaku profited from a final defensive error to seal a 4-1 win. He appeared to celebrate with the ‘Trump dance’. At the final whistle the commentator on Turkish television joked: ‘USA is out of the World Cup… unless there’s a last-minute change.’ Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring against USA to knock them out of the World Cup
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For many, it was deserved reward for a nation and president who had tried to bend the rules of football to their own gain.There have even been jokes about a Trump curse, listing this game, his prediction of a Kansas City Chiefs win at the Super Bowl, watching the New York Knicks lose during their NBA play-off streak and attending the Ryder Cup – where Europe beat Team USA, as evidence.Trump is understood to have called FIFA president Gianni Infantino three times, starting the day after Balogun received a red card in the US game against Bosnia. FIFA subsequently decided to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban for a year, without explaining why – causing outrage.Trump insists he did not know what a red card was – even though he was photographed with one at the White House during a meeting with Infantino in 2018 – but ‘asked for a review by FIFA’ after learning that Balogun would miss last night’s clash against Belgium.The US President said: ‘He gave him a red card, I didn’t know what that meant. Then I started hearing that means he can’t play in the next game. I said, ‘Boy, that’s big’. You know, if it happened to another player it would’ve been unfair.’But when they take your best player, or just about… and they say you can’t play, that’s very unfair.’It’s one thing to penalise someone for a game. But how do you penalise them for a game they haven’t even played yet? It’s very unfair. You can’t do that. I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by Fifa. I’m good at this stuff – that wasn’t a foul.’Trump then cast doubt on Brazilian referee Raphael Claus – who sent Balogun off – claiming he was ‘suspect’. ‘If you check his past, I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past,’ he said.Claus was accused of match-fixing in 2023 in Brazil, but was never charged with wrongdoing, and there is no suggestion of any allegation aimed at him in the World Cup.The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) hit back last night, saying: ‘There is nothing in his record that discredits him or gives grounds for any suspicion.’The CBF rejects any insinuation casting doubt on Raphael Claus’s integrity. He is an exemplary professional.’England manager Thomas Tuchel, ex-players and football federations across the globe expressed dismay at FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s punishment.Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: ‘This is oursport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness – it calls everything into question.’Broadcaster and pundit Piers Morgan, a former ally of Mr Trump, described his intervention as ‘cheating’. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was ‘astonished’. Its appeal was rejected without explanation.UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, said the ‘unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable’ move ‘crossed a red line’.Former England striker Wayne Rooney said: ‘It is an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed. The sportsmanship of the game is at question here.’ITV pundit Roy Keane added: ‘It seems unfair because it is unfair.’ Balogun, 25, got a red card in the 64th minute of Thursday’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina after a video review ruled he raked his studs down the calf of defender Tarik Muharemovic.Trump said of the striker: ‘He didn’t do anything wrong.’But Tuchel said FIFA had set a dangerous precedent, adding: ‘Where does this start and where does this end now? Can we overturn it or not overturn it?’England defender Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 3-2 victory over Mexico yesterday, leaving former manager Harry Redknapp asking on Times Radio: ‘Is the King going to ring up FIFA and ask them to rescind the decision?’ It is just using power.’The FA is considering appealing to FIFA against Quansah’s suspension.Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticised the decision, saying: ‘Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.’Infantino, who gave Trump the ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ last year, stated that FIFA’s judicial bodies were ‘independent’ and rulings ‘must always be respected’.He added: ‘I regularly discuss matters related to the World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.’FIFA said: ‘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.’More to follow.