Trump says he asked FIFA to review Balogun red card, not dictate result
The president said he called FIFA’s Gianni Infantino before the U.S. forward’s one-game World Cup ban was suspended.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
President Donald Trump said Monday that he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino about Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card, while denying that he pressured soccer’s governing body to reach a specific decision. Fortune reported that FIFA’s move to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban cleared the U.S. forward to face Belgium in a round of 16 match in Seattle.
Trump addressed the issue during an unrelated event in the Oval Office, according to Fortune. He said his role was limited to seeking another look at the punishment after Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina last week in Santa Clara, California.
“All I did was ask for a review,” Trump said, according to Fortune. “I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’”
Balogun received the red card for a foul tackle, which carried a mandatory one-game suspension, Fortune reported. FIFA later suspended that ban, a decision that allowed him to be available for the knockout match against Belgium.
The decision drew a split reaction, according to Fortune. Many in the United States welcomed the ruling, while critics elsewhere in international sports described Trump’s involvement as an improper intrusion into FIFA disciplinary matters.
Trump defended the appeal on sporting grounds, Fortune reported. He called the referee’s decision “horrible” and said he did not believe the play warranted a foul, describing it instead as a collision between two athletes who became tangled.
Balogun entered the Belgium match as the United States’ top scorer at the tournament with three goals, according to Fortune. Trump said it would have damaged the tournament if Balogun had missed the match and the United States had lost.
Trump also criticized the use of video review in the incident, Fortune reported. He argued that slowed-down replays can make contact appear more severe than it was in real time.
The president said he did not initially understand what a red card meant or that it would trigger a suspension, according to Fortune. After learning the consequences for Balogun, Trump said he decided to call Infantino and ask FIFA to reconsider.
Trump praised FIFA’s final decision, while stressing that the organization made the call itself, Fortune reported. He also said he understands sports “really well.”
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who attended the Oval Office event, thanked Trump for intervening, according to Fortune. Cruz said, “On behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card.”
Cruz also referred to the World Cup trophy having been at the White House, Fortune reported. His comment appeared to reference a visit last year by Infantino, who brought the trophy to a White House event.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.