Trump Defends Call Asking FIFA President to Review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup Suspension Before Critical U.S.-Belgium Match

NEED TO KNOW

• President Donald Trump is speaking out about calling FIFA’s president regarding Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension
• On Monday, July 6, Trump told assembled media at the Oval Office that the play “wasn’t a foul”
• An independent member of the FIFA appeals committee is now reviewing the case after Belgium said it was “challenging” the ruling

President Donald Trump is speaking out about reaching out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding star U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension.

“All I did, I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump, 80, told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, July 6, hours ahead of the round of 16 clash between the United States and Belgium in the FIFA World Cup.

He continued, “I saw the play, and I’m a person who loves sports and was a good athlete. That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction.”

Balogun was ejected during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1. He was tossed from the game during the 64th minute after he got tangled up with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic after seemingly inadvertently stepping on his ankle. Balogun was sent off and handed a one-game suspension.

Multiple FIFA officials previously said that the United States Men’s National Team could not appeal the red card or suspension. One official did say, however, that all red cards are “automatically referred to FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee for assessment,” according to The Athletic.

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On Sunday, July 5, FIFA overturned the initial ruling, clearing the way for Balogun to rejoin the team for Monday’s game.

Trump reacted to the extraordinary reversal on Truth Social, thanking FIFA “for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” on Sunday.

It was later reported that Trump placed a phone call to FIFA’s Infantino, asking the latter to allow a review Balogun’s red card.

Also on Monday, Belgium stated it would “challenge” the decision.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said in a statement obtained by The Athletic that it “has no alternative but to challenge” Balogun’s “eligibility for the upcoming match.”  

An independent member of the FIFA appeals committee has been selected to hear the case, and a ruling is possible before the game is set to begin Monday at 8 p.m. ET., according to USA Today. 

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