Trump Asks FIFA to Review Balogun’s Red Card
United States President Donald Trump confirmed that he personally reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the one‑match suspension given to USA striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
Balogun, the team’s top scorer at the tournament, had been set to miss the last‑16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in the game versus Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dismissal came after a VAR review that triggered an automatic one‑match ban.
On Monday, FIFA announced that the suspension had been lifted for 12 months, making the 25‑year‑old available for selection. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he did not pressure FIFA but simply asked for a review, describing the incident as two athletes colliding unintentionally.
He added that the referee’s decision seemed questionable and defended Balogun as one of the United States’ best players. While FIFA’s statutes bar political interference in member‑association matters, the move has sparked debate about the circumstances surrounding the ban’s removal.
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