Trump Called FIFA President Before Team USA Star’s Red Card Was Rescinded
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Team USA Star Folarin Balogun was given a controversial red card in their Round of 32 game.
The red card meant Balogun would be out for Team USA’s Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The red card was rescinded on Sunday.
Balogun will now play.
According to a report from the New York Times, Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the decision was made.
President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the phone before the international soccer organization decided to suspend a red card against U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun, the New York Times reported on Sunday—allowing the star goal scorer to play in the upcoming match against Belgium in the World Cup’s Round of 16.
Balogun, the U.S. men’s team’s leading goal scorer, was expected to sit out Monday’s World Cup match against Belgium after he received a red card during their most recent win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
But in a surprise move on Sunday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said Balogun would be allowed to play as it suspended the implementation of the red card for a one-year probationary period.
Hours after the decision was announced, the Times reported Trump previously spoke with Infantino by phone and asked him to review the red card, citing three people familiar with the conversation.
Trump thanked FIFA after the decision.
Trump said FIFA reversed “a great injustice!”
Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP
