President Donald Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to demand a review of the 'horrible' red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old forward was initially slated to miss the critical last-16 match against Belgium following a controversial foul call by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus.
Trump, who publicly questioned the official's integrity, argued that allowing the suspension to stand would have left a 'big stain' on the World Cup.
While critics in European football circles and the Royal Belgian Football Association have expressed 'astonishment' and concern over the precedent set by the intervention, FIFA ultimately moved to suspend the automatic one-match ban for a 12-month probationary period.
FIFA officials maintained that their judicial bodies remain independent, though they offered no specific explanation for why this case was granted such an extraordinary exception. Despite the hand-wringing from international governing bodies like UEFA, the decision ensures Balogun will be available for the U.S. squad in Seattle.
Trump emphasized that he did not dictate the outcome but simply insisted that the questionable officiating be subjected to proper scrutiny, a move he maintains was the right decision for the integrity of the competition.
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