United States President Donald Trump has praised FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban. He insisted that the Balogun red card was not a foul and should never have ruled the striker out of the World Cup clash against Belgium.
According to Sky Sports, FIFA stepped in to make Balogun available for the United States’ last-16 tie against Belgium. This happened after the White House asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card.
Balogun was sent off during the United States’ win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, a decision that initially carried an automatic one-match suspension. Sky Sports reported that FIFA later suspended the ban for a year, allowing the striker to face Belgium.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he did not believe the incident deserved a red card.
“I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. Red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out, I said, you gotta be kidding,” Trump said.
The US president described the incident as a collision between two players rather than violent conduct.
“I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything,” he added.
Trump said he only asked for the incident to be reviewed. He did not instruct FIFA on what decision to take.
“I didn’t tell him what to do, I can’t tell him what to do,” he said.
He, however, praised FIFA’s eventual decision, saying football fans deserved to see the best players available for major matches.
“I think they made a really brilliant decision. You want to see a game with your best players,” Trump said.
The Balogun red card has sparked wider controversy. Reuters reported that UEFA criticised FIFA’s decision, saying the football body had “crossed a red line.” Reuters also reported that Belgium challenged Balogun’s eligibility for the match.
Sky Sports also reported that the Belgian FA said it was “astonished” by the decision. The FA was investigating possible options in response.
Trump maintained that removing one of the United States’ top players from the match would have damaged the tournament.
“If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible tournament,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the Balogun red card is expected to remain one of the major talking points of the World Cup. This will continue as the United States continues its knockout-stage campaign.
