Source nytime
WASHINGTON, D.C. — US President Donald Trump confirmed from the Oval Office that he personally intervened to request a FIFA review of the controversial red card given to star American striker Folarin Balogun.
The extraordinary intervention by the leader of a World Cup host nation has sent shockwaves through the global football community, sparking a massive diplomatic and sporting row ahead of the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
“That Wasn’t a Foul”
Speaking to reporters, President Trump acknowledged making contact with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to argue against the automatic one-match ban triggered by Balogun’s dismissal during the USA’s 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I spoke to Gianni… I actually said, ‘Gianni, we’ve got all these games. Each one is turning out to be a Super Bowl,'” Trump stated, defending his outreach. “All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”
Trump, who described himself as someone who “understands sports really well,” lambasted the referee’s decision, which was made following a video assistant referee (VAR) review. The incident involved Balogun awkwardly stepping on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović.
“That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other,” Trump insisted. “It’s one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn’t been played yet? It’s very unfair.”
FIFA’s Unprecedented U-Turn
Following the political lobbying—which sources indicate included up to three phone calls from the US President starting Wednesday—FIFA shocked the sporting world on Sunday by announcing that Balogun’s suspension had been put on hold.
Invoking Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the governing body placed Balogun on a one-year probationary period. While the red card technically remains on his record, his immediate one-match ban was lifted, clearing the tournament’s joint top-scorer to face Belgium.
The decision marks what is believed to be the first time since 1962 that an automatic World Cup red card suspension has been set aside mid-tournament.
Fury in Europe
The decision has provoked fierce backlash from European football governing bodies and the USMNT’s upcoming opponents.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA): Expressed complete astonishment and stated they are “investigating all potential options” to safeguard fair play.
Rudi Garcia (Belgium Coach): Bitterly mocked the decision, saying through a translator, “I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe.”
UEFA: Issued a blistering statement accusing FIFA of crossing a “red line,” claiming the “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” reversal actively undermines the integrity of the game.
The German Football Association (DFB): Publicly demanded that any impression of active political interference be “dispelled swiftly and conclusively.”
Despite the mounting global outrage, the decision stands. Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament so far, remains fully eligible to lead the line for the United States in Seattle.
For more details on the unfolding controversy and analysis of the political pressure on the tournament, you can watch this ABC News Broadcast on the Trump-FIFA Controversy, which outlines how the phone calls to Gianni Infantino unfolded and the immediate impact on the USMNT roster.
