Two U.S. Soccer Officials Suspended by FIFA Without Explanation Before Belgium Match

Initially, FIFA’s preview highlighted Folarin Balogun’s red card, then removed that reference in the second update before adding the suspensions of the two U.S. officials in the third.

These are the only two changes made to a disciplinary preview during this World Cup so far.

When contacted, the U.S. Soccer Federation declined to explain why Zapatka and Pannell were unavailable for the Round of 16 clash, telling the Associated Press that the action was unrelated to Balogun’s red‑card suspension.

Zapatka has served as team manager since 2020 and has been with the federation since 2015.

He is responsible for informing players when they make the World Cup roster and had been on the sideline for all four U.S. men’s national team matches prior to Monday’s game.

Before joining U.S. Soccer, Pannell built a career in the Secret Service and the CIA before moving into private security.

The U.S. men’s national team drew attention earlier this week after FIFA permitted Balogun to play against Belgium, even though he had incurred a red card against Bosnia‑Herzegovina that normally triggers a one‑match ban.

FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to lift Balogun’s suspension after a phone call from former President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which was framed as part of a broader U.S. Soccer lobbying effort.

Infantino confirmed the call took place, but insisted it had no influence on FIFA’s ruling, which was issued by an independent committee.

UEFA denounced the move as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”

Belgium echoed that criticism, saying it was reviewing all possible avenues to have the decision overturned before the match.

Ultimately, the decision had no bearing on the outcome; Balogun managed only a single shot on target as Belgium won 4‑1.

Source link