Fifa red card U-turn ‘driven by political motivations’ | BBC Radio 4 PM

Former Fifa official Miguel Maduro has said the decision by Fifa to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension for 12 months is "driven by political motivations”. President Donald Trump has confirmed he asked Fifa to review United States striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension at the World Cup, calling the punishment “very unfair”. Balogun was set to miss his side's last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round, but is now free to be selected for the team’s next match in Seattle. Speaking to Radio 4’s PM, Mr Maduro - who was appointed as chair of Fifa’s governance committee in 2016, but was dismissed 10 months later - questioned the independence of the international football body following the decision. In a statement, Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino has said “Fifa’s judicial bodies are independent” and that “their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must be respected”. Listen to PM on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews #WorldCup