People who don’t agree with the views of sports personalities often urge them to stay away from politics.
Someone should’ve told the politician who was a sports fanatic to “stick with politics.”
The decision by President Trump to lobby FIFA in favor of a suspension of the red-card suspension for one game, a move that is largely unheard of in the world of football, motivated Belgium in its victory over the U.S. 4-1 in the Round of 16 match in Seattle on Monday. The players’ reaction to this sudden (or “green”) reversal was certainly edifying. After the victory, the “overturn” tweet from the team confirmed the already-known fact that they knew about the Trump/FIFA collusion. This prompted FIFA’s activation of a provision of the Disciplinary Code which gives FIFA broad discretion in any situation involving discipline.
After Belgium’s goal in extra-time, a clear message was also sent: According to Grant Young, of the New York Post, players were mocking Trump’s signature two-fisted dancing. Here’s a video.
In the zeal of pressing all the buttons and pulling all the levers available to reinstate the eligibility of U.S. forward Folarin Baligun to play in the game on Monday, the impact was overlooked.
The U.S. Team downplayed any impact that the Balogun ban was turned into an international incident. “It did not affect our performance,” U.S. Coach Mauricio Pochettino told ESPN. It’s no excuse.
Tyler Adams, a midfielder at the club said: “I believe that when this happened it was as surprising to us as to you.” I don’t believe that the noise affected us in any way. It may have even made us feel better.
The strong response had a positive impact on them, regardless of whether they received a temporary boost due to Balogun’s sudden availability. As any reasonable American would have known, the involvement of those in the highest echelons of government had a negative impact on the situation. The atmosphere was ruined. The chip shifted from American shoulders to Belgians.
Many people tried to make sense of the situation by claiming that the initial red card had been unjustified and it was okay to try to reverse the suspension. It’s still clear that suspension was only lifted after the man, who believes he is the most powerful human being in history, grabbed and twisted the arm of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Two wrongs do not make a right, as the old saying goes. The second mistake was what propelled Belgium to beat the U.S. (after barely escaping Senegal during the Round of 16).

Le Pen’s future political prospects are in doubt after a verdict
Hugh Schofield
Paris Correspondent
It is this judgment by Solomon which leaves Marine Le Pen’s future political in limbo.
The panel of judges on appeal has, in one sense, been more forgiving than the court of original jurisdiction when it comes to the issue of eligibility.
In effect, the five-year sentence handed out at the initial trial was reduced to fifteen months. Le Pen can now legally run for office because the time has already been served.
There is a BUT.
It is a confirmation that Le Pen will also have to serve one year behind bars. In reality, not at jail but with an electronic tag.
Le Pen herself has said she will not run for office in these conditions because she is not fully free.
Theoretically, she would now hand over Jordan Bardella’s candidacy.
There’s also another thing to consider. This period of time with an electronic tag can be reduced if you behave well. Most of the time, yes. Does that mean it will also be considered?
It was hoped that the court’s decision would end all speculation about who the next nationalist presidential candidate will be.
It hasn’t.
France’s Allies Are Watching Very Closely
Katya Adler
BBC Europe Editor reporting from Paris
She will or won’t?
Today, many of France’s European friends were closely watching the Court of Appeal.
Marine Le Pen will be appearing on French TV tonight to announce her intentions.
What matters? France has the second-largest economy in Europe. Nuclear power, with an impressive military force (by European standards).
Brussels is very concerned about the fact that Eurosceptic and traditionally Nato unenthusiastic Le Pen, and Jordan Bardella who would be able to run in her place, lead all other presidential hopefuls in polls.
There are some European leaders who think that if Jordan Bardella became France’s new president, then he would be more “reasonable” than Le Pen.
Some whisper Bardella’s inexperience and youth could mean that he will lose his popularity before the next election.
In politics, nine months can be a long time.
The Court of Appeal’s decision today is likely to be used by a number of “disruptors” across Europe, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany.
This ruling that Le Pen must wear an electronic tag could be used as evidence to prove the claim of those who say the Establishment will try everything at its disposal to silence the voices of the People, even the Justice System.
Le Pen is found guilty, but her choice to not run for office was not made by the court.
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Marine Le Pen was found guilty by the court. She has said that she won’t run for office, but the court ordered her to wear an electronic tag and serve a year.
She has claimed that any time she had a tag on her would stop her from properly campaigning, since she would need to get authorisation for every rally she attended.
It’s her choice to not run and not that of the court, unless her opinion changes.
She could run for president by reducing her ban from holding public office to 15 months in actuality, since 30 out of 45 months have been suspended.
Le Pen has stated that she won’t run in these circumstances.
Five possible outcomes for Le Pen
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Five possible outcomes could be heard today at the Court of Appeal.
Acquittal: Le Pen will have her reputation intact if she is acquitted. This is a verdict that’s considered unlikely.
She will be rendered ineligible if the court finds that she is guilty, and bans her from holding office for a period of more than 2 years (starting 31 March 2025). This is because time has passed since the ban of five years on holding public office.
If she was given a two-year ban, it would have been a completely different story. She would still be allowed to run for office.
She would be convicted with an electronic tag if the court followed the recommendation from the prosecutors. If she is sentenced to four years in prison, the electronic tag will only last one year, and not two. The rest of the term has been suspended.
If she wants to appeal against the decision, then the Court of Cassation is the highest court in France. She would still have 10 days before making a final decision. It would take her several months to appeal and would prevent her from running for office. She has said she will not.
Even if the case is dismissed, the prosecutors may decide to appeal to a higher court.
When the verdict begins, what to watch out for
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Marine Le Pen’s first impression will be revealed when the judge decides if she, along with the 11 other defendants of the appeal case, are guilty or not.
She can still run for president if she is innocent. It is unlikely.
The focus will then be on the punishment, which may take some time if the verdict is upheld.
The two main questions if it is a guilty verdict are whether she will have to wear a tag or not, and if she will be banned from holding public office longer than two years.
Le Pen claims that any punishment with an anklet bracelet will stop her from campaigning for president. The prosecution wants her to wear an ankle bracelet for one year, as part of four years in prison with the third suspended.
In March of last year, the five-year suspension from public service was imposed on her.
If she is barred from holding public office in France when the new President will be elected there, April or May of 2027, then it means that she can’t become president. This means that she cannot be president for at least two years after the ban was imposed.
The story could continue even after the sentencing. Le Pen has 10 days for both her and the prosecution to appeal. However, an appeal can take several months.
Bardella: ‘Nothing justifies’ Le Pen’s exclusion from the presidential race
Jordan Bardella, President of National Rally and the National Rally before the court of appeals decision says that “nothing could justify Marine Le Pen not being included in the French public’s choice or prevented from appearing in front of them”.
Bardella, in his essay on X describes the day as “a very important one, if not an exceptional one”.
He says that denying her the right to vote would be a serious attack on the freedom of choice for the French.
Bardella says that, in light of the long-standing relationship between them, his loyalty to Le Pen will “never depend on circumstance”.
He says, “I don’t forget that I promised to fight with you in the wars we pledged.”
Hear from those who are hoping to see today’s decision
Katya Adler
BBC Europe Editor reporting from Paris
At the Palais de Justice in Paris I am speaking with members of the general public who are hoping to see today’s decision.
Amelina is a law student of 21 years old. She told me that she was waiting in line to get justice.
She said it was a historical moment, because Marine Le Pen has so much recognition and represents so many things – positive and negative.
Amelina claims she is not a Le Pen fan or ally. Amelina says she is here to prove that justice in France is blind, and there are serious consequences for breaking the law.
Alexandre Mahoudeaux is a 19 year old student of political science who tells me that he has been a Le Pen supporter for many years and she inspired him to become interested in politics.
He said that her talent is to listen to others and pay attention to their problems.
He told me in France, the justice system was politicised. Le Pen, he said is treated harsher than other political figures from traditional parties who face similar accusations.

Marine Le Pen may have tasted defeat in the past, but her political career could be over if she is barred by the Paris Appeal Court on Tuesday from standing for the presidential elections of 2027. She has been the leader of France’s nationalist-right since the 1970s.
Le Pen told her supporters in Lievin at the weekend, the center of Pas-de-Calais constituency, “If the judiciary prevents me from running for president, I will devote my energy instead to support her young protégé Jordan Bardella.”
Marine Le Pen is a trained lawyer, and she has a cat breeding certification. She does have other options, but her life in politics began at an early age, so it’s hard to imagine that Marine Le Pen would take a more passive role.
In 2012, she finished third and then was runner-up in both 2017 and 2022 to Emmanuel Macron. She is ahead in polls and Macron will not be running for the next election. This would give her the best opportunity to win the presidency.
Some observers felt that Lievin was preparing the future generation to take over the torch.
Le Pen is seen in the video singing along with the lyrics of Mourir Sur Scene, a 1980s hit by Dalida at the end of her career. The chorus of this song was “I Want to Die on Stage in Front of the Spotlights.”
She has been France’s most influential anti-immigration politician for 15 years.
The next few months could mark the end of a period that started with Jean-Marie Le Pen and his National Front in the 70s, continued by her in 2011, and ended when she removed every trace of her father, initially in the FN and later under a renamed Rassemblement National – National Rally.
Marine Le Pen and two older sisters were eight when they survived the November 1976 attack on their central Paris flat that was destroyed by a bomb.
Her parents, sisters Marie-Caroline, and Yann, and she escaped the night of terror with only a few bruises. She later realised that her father worked in politics.
In September 1984, Pierette’s mother left her family home to go with Le Pen’s biographer and later appeared in Playboy.
Marine was the youngest of three daughters who took on their father’s political legacy.
She said, in 2004, on French TV: “You are born Le Pen’s daughter and you die Le Pen’s daughter.” He is the love of my life. “He’s the man who made me into the woman I am.”
Marine Le Pen was a Paris-trained lawyer when she entered politics in the 1990s.
She was able to focus on her career with the National Front. In 2003, she became vice president of the National Front and won a place in the European Parliament.
It took nine years for her father to reach his peak as a politician. In 2002, he came second in the race for the presidency, behind Jacques Chirac, with 18%.
She was a Euro-MP until 2017 and the conviction for fake jobs against her found she played a “central” role in a scheme that used EUR1.4m of European Parliament funding to pay party staffers.
The National Front has struggled for years to find money as French banks refused to lend it money due its anti-semitic and racist past.
Marine Le Pen’s party was able to go cap-in-hand to a Russian/Czech bank that is linked to the Kremlin in 2014, the same year Vladimir Putin began his illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimea. Le Pen supported Putin’s occupation repeatedly, and visited him in the Kremlin on the day before the 2017 presidential election.
She had shown her admiration of the Russian leader over time but the image of them shaking hands has come back to haunt.
In a heated televised discussion, Macron said that France deserved better than her. He then won over the two thirds of voters.
Putin, five years after the presidential election, was poised to send Russian troops in a full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 20, 2022. She told BBC that she did not think Russia wanted to invade Ukraine. However, if this were to happen, she would support Ukraine’s independence.
In her quest to become a mainstream politician, her greatest success was in detoxifying or de-demonising what her father created.
The anti-immigration policy is intact. It promises that French citizens will be given priority in terms of housing, employment and other benefits. But the racism and antisemitism displayed by her late father are gone.
Marine Le Pen was taken before a court of law by herself, but she ultimately was found not guilty of inciting racism in 2015. She had compared the sighting of Muslims in France praying on the street to Nazi occupation during World War Two.
In August 2015, her expulsion of Jean-Marie Le Pen was the culmination in a bitter family dispute. At one point, he said that “Marine Le Pen might want me dead”. She said that she “would never forgive herself for this decision” because she knew it had caused her husband great pain.
She rebranded her party in 2018, a full year after coming second behind Emmanuel Macron at the election for president.
It didn’t end there. Steeve Brios, an old friend of ours who was still the mayor of Henin-Beaumont in the National Rally’s northern stronghold, complained that the focus of the executive had shifted to “immigration” and “identity”, at the expense social concerns.
This rebranding is complete with less than one year to go before the next Presidential election.
Jordan Bardella may be the one to take over as National Rally’s next leader.
Even though that project appears to be over, she was seen last year carrying a cat in a pet cage while visiting the residence of Prime Minister.

SEATTLE – Even though Folarin Baligun, a member of the United States Men’s National Team said that he was not involved in the decision to allow him to participate in the 16th round despite his claim that he did not have any involvement at all with it, he wasn’t shocked by the controversy surrounding the sudden announcement.
FIFA made a surprising decision by lifting the one-game suspension that Balogun received for a yellow card he had been given in round 32 of the World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun, who was cleared to play against Belgium after the USMNT’s 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32 was lifted by FIFA was the first player to speak about the situation since being allowed to participate.
He told reporters that “it’s only natural” for the decision to be overturned to cause controversy. It didn’t surprise me at all. As a player my role is to focus on what I do.
FIFA regulations state that a World Cup player who receives a yellow card must miss the following match. This rule applies regardless of the round. Balogun accepted the ruling and was prepared to sit out the next match. However, FIFA made an announcement a day before the game that the suspension against Belgium would be lifted. The decision was already controversial but it became even more so when Donald Trump admitted that he had urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino not to reverse the ban.
In light of the possible political impact the decision had on Balogun, he said that all he really knew was that it was only a matter of time before he would be able to take part in the game. “I don’t have much more I can say about the subject.”
I had to follow this protocol. It was something I knew very little about. Like I said, when the card was red I accepted it. I also accepted the ruling when the player told me I could play. “I didn’t take part in this process, and it has nothing to do with my personal life,” added Balogun.
The Belgian soccer federation was disappointed in the ruling. Rudi Garcia told reporters that he had “thought” the World Cup would be in April, and not July.
He said, “It is now April Fools.” We’re not defending either the national team, or the federation. We’re defending football.”
It was a question whether there would be animosity on the field between Balogun and any Belgium players, but it didn’t happen. Garcia and Balogun expressed their admiration for one another after Belgium won the match. Balogun thanked the coach who won, while Garcia was grateful for the gesture. He encouraged the American forward to be proud about his performance.
It’s not His fault. Garcia told Garcia, “I’ve already said that he is not at fault.
Mauricio pochettino and nearly every U.S. team member were asked if Trump’s decision loomed large over their team, since the firestorm created by the controversy distracted the public from the game. Pochettino said he felt “frustrated” and was disappointed with the story.
He said: “I feel personally so depressed with many people who mix things up, or put politics into it.”
Nancy Armour is a contributor to this article.

Washington — Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, and the Maine Democratic Party leadership urged Graham Platner Monday to withdraw from the Senate race after a shocking Politico article accusing Platner sexual abuse.
Platner said the claim was “categorically untrue” and that his campaign will be evaluating “the best way forward”.
In a video that his campaign uploaded to X, Platner stated, “Regardless of any inaccuracy in the reporting but aware of the political realities it may bring, we’re taking time to think about the best way forward for my state, people I care about, the movement that I am a part of, and our goal to defeat Susan Collins.” The goals we set when this campaign began remain the same today.
Jenny Racicot from Maine told Politico that Platner forced his way into her house in 2021, when he entered drunkenly. Racicot claimed that the two had met in 2019 on a dating application and were having consensual relationships before the night the sexual assault was allegedly committed.
Racicot expanded her allegations later in a CNN Interview in which she claimed Platner raped “by definition.”
He violated several layers of consent on that particular night. Racicot stated that he had violated multiple layers of consent by entering my house when I requested him to leave, and advancing upon me when I instructed him to stop. “It was another instance where I warned him against doing,” Racicot added, in reference to the alleged refusal to take protective measures.
She stated: “In the moment, I assessed my own safety. “I felt the most secure by simply complying.”
Platner called the accusations “troubling and serious”
In a video that was posted soon after this story, Platner stated: “Any accusations of non-consensual behaviour are categorically untrue.”
His campaign issued a press release in which it called these allegations “coached by and coordinated with out-of-state establishment operatives.”
“For over a year now, Graham’s opponents have called him everything from a Nazi to a Communist. All of this has not been true, and neither is the latest story. This story isn’t a coincidental coincidence. The previous false accusations were also made a few weeks before the deadline for voting. Graham started this campaign in order to create a Maine that treats everyone with dignity, where Mainers come first. No amount of desperate accusations will prevent this movement from achieving this vision.
CBS News denies Racicot’s allegations.
Racicot has been contacted by CBS News.
Platner’s sexual assault allegations led him to be pushed by several prominent Democrats, including former Platner backers. This would have triggered a rush to nominate a new Democratic candidate for this key Senate seat. Platner was the Democratic Senate nominee last month. However, Maine’s election laws allow for nominees to be replaced if the withdraw before 5 p.m. the second Monday of July. A political party then has two weeks in which to choose a replacement nominee.
Maine Democratic Party urged Platner Monday to withdraw from the race as a candidate.
In a statement issued jointly, Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, the New York senator who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and is the chair of the committee, called for Platner “immediately” to withdraw from the race.
Schumer, Gillibrand and others said that the DSCC would not be investing in the Maine Senate election if Platner remained on the ballot.
Ro Khanna, Democrat Rep. of California who had campaigned alongside Platner following other allegations that surfaced against him in the past few months, withdrew his support on Monday, saying Platner must drop out of this race.
I’ve made it very clear to you that violence or sexual abuse against women are unacceptable. “These allegations are serious and credible,” wrote he.
Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat Senator said that Platner “should step aside as Democratic nominee to address these serious accusations outside of this Senate race.” Ruben Gallego, a senator from Arizona, also withdrew his support for Platner. He called the allegations “troubling” and “deeply serious.”
Cheyenne Hunt is a Democratic activist who started the non-profit Reckoning Action. She called for Platner’s campaign to be ended. Hunt has been credited with bringing to light allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against the former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Swalwell resigned from Congress, suspended his California Governor campaign and subsequently denied the accusations.
She said, “Today, we’re calling for Platner drop out of the race and to remove himself from ballot by the 13th July. This will give our party the opportunity to nominate a qualified candidate that is best positioned to succeed in November.”
She added, “With all the allegations that have been made, Graham Platner’s suitability to serve in any office, including that of United States Senator, is absolutely undeniable.”
Racicot said in her CNN interview that while she agrees with Platner’s political views, she was compelled “to come forward” because, she explained, there are many men who rely on women’s silence to get where they are.
I also get fired up by his videos. “I understand why people are looking for someone who is like him to be in office. I was afraid that me telling my story would take away that desire. I also felt uncomfortable about the potential consequences of doing so.
This is just the latest of a series of accusations and controversies which have plagued Platner’s campaign over recent months.
Platner is a veteran of 41 years and an oyster farmer. His entry into the political arena with his launch of campaign brought up a number of personal controversies. Since then, Platner has apologized for some of the problematic comments that he posted on the internet years ago. He also covered a tattoo he received while in his Marine Corps days which is widely recognized to be a Nazi emblem. The allegations increased in the run-up to the primary last month.
After Maine Governor. The Wall Street Journal published a report in May stating that Platner had told his wife to tell the campaign he sent explicit sexual text messages. The New York Times published a report describing Platner’s “unsettling” behavior towards women he dated. This included a claim of physical abuse, something Platner denies.
Platner said to MS NOW, that he did not expect any more allegations in the wake of all the accusations made ahead of the primaries. He said at the time that he was “transparent” about his past as a “bad boyfriend”.
“There will be nothing new,” Platner stated. It’s basically going to be the same old stuff,” Platner said.
The allegations are made as Platner prepares to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins this November, in a contest that may be crucial to Democrats hoping to win control of the Senate. Democrats have been trying to remove Collins from the Senate for many years. She has served in the Senate as a senator since 1997, and she wields considerable power as the chairperson of the Appropriations Committee. Democrats are more optimistic about this election cycle because Collins is the sole Republican running for re-election to the Senate, in an area that Vice President Kamala Harrs won in 2024.
Some Democrats, including his former director of politics, have said that Platner’s allegations could jeopardize a win and suggested he should withdraw from the race to allow the party to choose a new nominee.
Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who is Platner’s most prominent supporter, hasn’t commented on the allegations of sexual assault but has stood behind him in previous accusations.
The Bangor Daily News has reported that Platner canceled a series of recent campaign events.
Platner said to MS NOW in a recent interview that he had “never” considered quitting the race.
“Amy, I and my partner, Platner, knew from the beginning that we would have to face some challenges, but we are committed to it,” Platner stated. It never occurred to us to give up on this project. “I am committed until the very end.”