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Watching the World Cup the other day, I winced as the American star was given what I believed to an overly harsh red card. Folarin Balogun was lost not only for the rest of that game, but would not be allowed to play in the next knockout-round game.
Unfair, I complained. There must be some way to protest this. There must be some way to appeal and overturn this ruling. But, alas, all the commentators pointed out that the FIFA rules were clear and firm. A red card carries a one-game penalty, no if’s, and’s, or but’s. Balogun is out.
But then came the good news this morning. In an almost unprecedented ruling, the central body of FIFA reversed the penalty, Balogun could play, and all was well in the world. Hooray for the red, white, and blue.
Until, of course, we learned what motivated FIFA to make a U-turn. Seems like some random person, a guy named Trump or Frump or something like that, had made a phone call urging leniency, urging justice, asking the governing body to relent and reverse—and lo and behold, the seas parted.
FIFA. A wonderful organization.  Thoroughly apolitical. Interested in only the highest ideals of sportsmanship and fair play.  Not subject to pressure, threats, or inducements. Honest as the day is long. After all, it was only in the interest of the highest international principles that this organization created and awarded the very first FIFA Peace Prize, presented with honor to the greatest leader of the 21st century—or any century, for that matter.
So tomorrow, Monday, I will watch the US play Belgium, and I’ll be rooting for the guys in red, white, and blue. But if our guy Balogun scores the winning goal, it will fill me with mixed emotions. I will cheer, but there will be a certain shame that will hang over my celebration.
It’s tough being an American these days and being associated with such a terrible, terrible man. If only this were his greatest sin, life would be pretty great. But it certainly is not, and it’s a deep, sinking feeling that we–and the rest of the world–are stuck, for the time being at least, with such a dreadful, awful despot.
