Donald Trump FIFA call: US President defends call that overturned US player’s suspension
President Donald Trump defended making a phone call to FIFA’s president, which led to the soccer association overturning a one-game World Cup suspension of US Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun.
President Donald Trump on Monday defended making a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which led to the soccer association overturning a one-game World Cup suspension of US Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun.
“I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said, referring to a referee issuing Balogun a red card in his team’s victory last week over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I didn’t know what the hell a red card was,” Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The card led to Balogun being ejected from that match — and to the 25-year-old being barred from playing in the US’s game on Monday night against Belgium.
But FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play in Monday night’s knockout match against Belgium in Seattle.
“I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do,” Mr Trump said of his call to Mr Infantino. “And I don’t believe he made the decision.”
The President said that if Balogun’s suspension had been upheld for the match against Belgium, “This game would have a big mark on it, if we lost or if we won.”
“If they beat us, then they could be really proud,” Mr Trump said of the Belgian squad.
