Two staff members of the U.S. soccer team were suspended by FIFA from Monday’s round of 16 game against Belgium. The suspensions were imposed on team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell. FIFA did not explain why it imposed the discipline.
Background
The U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Belgium. The suspension of the two staff members comes after President Donald Trump’s involvement in a controversy surrounding a red card issued to US soccer star Folarin Balogun.
President Trump had called FIFA’s president to protest the red card, which was later lifted. The Union of European Football Associations criticized FIFA’s decision, warning that the integrity of the game is at stake.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
