'Scandalous' - Donald Trump and FIFA face new 'corruption' allegations and 'people could go to prison'

FIFA are facing criticism and fresh questions over their integrity after the decision to suspend USA striker Folarin Balogun's suspension.

The governing body have never been far from a scandal, and Gianni Infantino's relationship with US president Donald Trump has raised growing criticism of their conduct.

Balogun was handed a controversial red card during the 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the president reportedly personally complained about to Infantino.

Since then, FIFA have decided to suspend his ban for a year, and former Man United chief scout has Mick Brown told Football Insider that the decision is a "scandalous" one.

Further controversy is set to follow, with the Belgian FA already having lodged a statement against the decision and the likely implications of it.

Should Balogun play a key role in helping the USA to qualify for the quarter final stage, it will likely be met with further questions targeted at FIFA and their chief decision-makers.

Why was Folarin Balogun's red card suspended?

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider on 2 July that Balogun's red card was harsh, and the striker can feel hard done by.

However, after the decision was made by the referee and confirmed by VAR, that should have been final regardless of the USMNT or Trump's protests.

Infantino's relationship with the controversial US president has been a major talking point for well over a year, and his latest decision has called the situation into question once more.

"The only word I can think of for it at the moment is scandalous, it's an awful situation," Brown told Football Insider.

"FIFA have had their fair share of controversy, when Sepp Blatter was in charge, I was telling anybody who would listen that there was corruption right to the top.

"Eventually, that all came to light and people were sent to prison over it, that's the level of problem we're talking about, and they had to have a complete reset.

"Now, with Infantino in charge, some of the decisions they're making are going to open them up to new allegations of corruption and incompetence.

"The relationship with Donald Trump has to be a major concern for everybody, because when the president of the USA is making direct calls to the FIFA president, questions have to be asked.

"Belgium obviously aren't happy, and other countries shouldn't be either, because why should the USA be let off when a player has received a red card? Will they act the same towards others?

"My concerns go back beyond this, when FIFA invented the 'Peace Prize' to hand to Trump, that already stinks and this situation stinks even more, it has to be a major, major concern."

How can England and other countries respond to FIFA's decision?

The immediate response towards the decision has been one of frustration, with the Belgian FA in particular speaking out against it ahead of their clash with the USA on 7 July.

A similar situation happened with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was permitted to take part in Portgual's opening group stage clash despite having recieved a red card in qualifying.

Hackett told Football Insider that the decision to suspend Balogun's one-match ban is completely incorrect, and weakens the sanction of a red card and the officials' power.

While the decision does fall within FIFA's remit under Article 27, it has sparked controversy and opened up the possibility of other sides appealing.

England and their fellow World Cup teams have been encouraged to appeal the decision, while the French FA are already considering an appeal against a yellow card given to Michael Olise.