FIFA Overturns Red Card Suspension for US Forward After Trump Request

FIFA has rescinded the suspension imposed on United States forward John Doe after a red card in the group‑stage match against Brazil at the World Cup. The decision, announced on Thursday, follows an appeal filed by the U.S. Soccer Federation that was reportedly prompted by a request from President Donald Trump. The card, issued in the 67th minute for a reckless tackle, had originally barred Doe from the next two matches.

The governing body cited a procedural error in the application of the disciplinary code, noting that the referee’s report did not include the full video evidence that was later submitted by the federation. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee convened a hearing on Wednesday and, after reviewing the footage, ruled that the red card was not justified under the rules of the game. The U.S. Soccer Federation welcomed the outcome, stating that the decision “upholds the integrity of the competition” and will allow the team to field its strongest squad for the knockout stages.

With the suspension lifted, Doe will be eligible to play in the upcoming round‑of‑16 match against Argentina. FIFA has reiterated that all appeals will continue to be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and the federation has indicated it will remain vigilant in ensuring that disciplinary procedures are applied consistently across all matches.