Trump says he requested FIFA review of Balogun red card before reversal
President Donald Trump confirmed he asked FIFA to review U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, which was later overturned, allowing the player to compete in the match against Belgium.
President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he asked FIFA to review the red-card suspension of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a request he said preceded the organization’s decision to lift the ban for Monday’s match against Belgium. Trump added that he had “nothing to do with the decision” after the reversal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed he received a call from Trump and explained that the case was subject to an ongoing legal process within FIFA’s independent judicial bodies, which would determine the outcome.
The United States had initially barred Balogun after a replay showed him stepping on an opponent’s leg during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The reversal sparked debate among officials and fans, with the Royal Belgian Football Association filing a request to keep the player ineligible, which FIFA’s Appeal Committee denied.
U.S. officials said the government provided additional evidence used in the appeal, and that the independent board ultimately reached the “correct and proper outcome.”