Belgium manager reveals what he told Folarin Balogun after win over USA: ‘It’s not his fault’ | OneFootball

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has revealed that Folarin Balogun sought him out for a chat after the United States striker’s controversial involvement in the World Cup round of 16 clash.

The USA exited the tournament in a 4-1 defeat in Seattle with Balogun permitted to play after his one-match ban for a red card was suspended by Fifa – a decision that came after the personal intervention of Donald Trump.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side struggled to produce the football that had taken them to the last 16 of the tournament, with Balogun a bit-part figure after being selected to start having been caught up in a political storm.

The 25-year-old had enjoyed an excellent World Cup before his sending off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Garcia was impressed that the Monaco forward made a point of stopping him for a chat even after the USA’s exit.

“He came to talk to me, I really like that," Belgium boss Garcia said of his interaction with Balogun. "It's not his fault, ‌he's not the one ​to blame and that's what I ‌told him."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing calls to resign over the apparent political interference in the World Cup from President Trump.

The pair have become closely linked in the build-up to the tournament, with Infantino presenting the “Fifa Peace Prize” to Trump in December as the draw was made for the World Cup.

After advancing past the co-hosts, Belgium will take on Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday.