German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has called on FIFA to clarify the circumstances surrounding the decision to suspend the ban resulting from the red card received by United States striker Folarin Balogun.
Klingbeil, who is known for his interest in football, chairs the Social Democratic Party, a partner in Germany's ruling coalition, and also serves as deputy chancellor to Friedrich Merz.
During the German government's presentation of its budget proposal in Berlin, Klingbeil said in response to a question on the matter: "I think politicians should not interfere in referees' decisions, but FIFA now needs to clarify whether any interference actually took place, and to do so transparently. I have nothing to add to that."
Balogun had received a red card during the United States' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup, and was initially handed a one-match suspension. However, FIFA later suspended the implementation of the punishment under Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations, which allows for disciplinary sanctions to be suspended in whole or in part, with the player placed on a one-year probationary period. Balogun was thus cleared to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium just hours before kick-off.
US President Donald Trump had confirmed that he personally asked FIFA to reconsider Balogun's punishment. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office, he said: "I asked for a review of the decision because I did not think what happened warranted a foul being called." FIFA's decision, along with reports suggesting possible motives behind it, sparked a wave of criticism worldwide.
Klingbeil, who is also known as a Bayern Munich supporter, added jokingly after his answer: "I thought you were going to ask me about Jürgen Klopp." Klopp is considered the leading candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as head coach of the German national team. Klingbeil said: "I think he is a very good coach."