Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 Florian Wirtz attacking midfield of Liverpool and Germany prior uring the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool England United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx originalFilename:bretonhernandez-liverpoo250917_npxTu.jpg
Callers to the Sports Hotline are furious after FIFA bowed to pressure from Donald Trump and reversed a red card decision affecting the USA.
A phone call from Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino resulted in Folarin Balogun’s suspension being suspended, allowing him to play against Belgium.
UEFA has publicly criticised the decision, and Scottish football fans have been quick to add their own voices to the growing chorus of outrage.
Paul Price, Glasgow, said: “The fact that Donald Trump has interfered in how the World Cup is played is totally despicable and unacceptable.”
Price continued: “For FIFA to bow down to this despot is crass in every definition of the word. I applaud UEFA for their stance against what surely now can only be defined as a tyrannical organisation calling itself FIFA!”
He added that for the good of the game he would like to see the USA football team refuse to field Balogun in their next match.
Stuart McLeod said: “After years of watching the SFA and SPFL hierarchy doing what suits them best, it was absolutely no surprise to see FIFA suspend the red card punishment to a striker of the host nation for a year.”
McLeod went on to say the sport has become unrecognisable, citing a complete lack of transparency and accountability, and revealing it will be his first season since the 1980s without renewing his season ticket.
Away from the controversy, England produced a memorable ten-man performance to beat Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, defeating them in high-altitude conditions that had raised serious concerns beforehand.
One Scottish caller managed to set aside his feelings about England long enough to celebrate a personal windfall from the result.
Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “I can’t be doing with the English, but they did me a favour. I put a daft £10 bet on them to win 3-2 at 33/1!”
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, praised the performance, saying Thomas Tuchel has created a happy atmosphere and that Kane and co will eliminate the previous failures since the 1966 team by winning the World Cup.
Norway’s victory over Brazil to reach the World Cup quarter-finals drew widespread admiration and prompted reflection on Scotland’s own footballing shortcomings.
Cooper Steven, Kent, said: “Congratulations to Norway for beating the mighty Brazil, qualifying for their first World Cup quarter-final, and for showing us Scots what is possible when you play with belief, structure, perfect game planning.”
Steven argued that Norway have been truly inspirational and that Scotland must apply those lessons to the entire setup of the Scottish game, or risk another wasted generation of promise.
Closer to home, Celtic’s slow transfer activity drew its usual summer frustration from supporters calling into the Hotline.
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “It’s not panic stations yet regarding signings at Celtic but I said that at the same time last year and our transfer window was a shambles.”
Wilson warned that if money is not spent it will be another disjointed season with protests galore, and that the situation will simply hand Rangers the title.
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