FIFA reportedly suspended 2 U.S. Soccer officials before USMNT's loss to Belgium
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- FIFA reportedly suspended two U.S. Soccer officials, team manager Sam Zapatka and vice president of security Frank Pannell, ahead of the USMNT's match against Belgium, though the reasons remain unclear.
- The suspensions may be connected to the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun, who was initially red-carded against Bosnia and Herzegovina but had his one-game ban overturned by FIFA, allowing him to play against Belgium.
- FIFA fined both Balogun and U.S. Soccer for Balogun's on-field celebration after the Bosnia and Herzegovina match, which violated disciplinary rules due to his red card earlier in the game.
- Zapatka and Pannell are reportedly the only U.S. team officials suspended by FIFA during the 2026 World Cup; Zapatka has been with U.S. Soccer for 11 years, while Pannell has a background in Secret Service, CIA, and private security.
- U.S. Soccer deferred inquiries about the suspensions to FIFA, which declined to comment, but did acknowledge the suspensions.
