Balogun’s ban would have stained World Cup – Trump

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he intervened with FIFA regarding striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension during the World Cup. Trump stated he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the ban, believing its implementation would have cast a "big stain" on the tournament.

Balogun, 25, was initially facing a suspension for a red card received in a previous match, which would have caused him to miss his team's last-16 tie against Belgium. However, FIFA made a controversial decision to suspend the automatic ban for 12 months. This move sparked widespread criticism from various football bodies, including UEFA, Belgium, and England coach Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking at the White House, Trump acknowledged speaking with Infantino but insisted he only requested a review and did not dictate the outcome. "I think the suspension would have left a big stain," Trump said. "I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision." He also described the referee's decision to send off Balogun as "horrible" and "a little bit suspect."

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I think the suspension would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.

In response to Trump's comments, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that upon receiving the call, he informed the former U.S. President that the matter involved FIFA's independent judicial bodies and would be decided by the competent authorities. Infantino later reiterated that FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and their rulings must be respected. "What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them," Infantino said. "Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant."

Despite Infantino's clarification, criticism persisted. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed astonishment at FIFA's decision, while UEFA stated that intervening to cancel a suspension "crossed a red line" and jeopardized the integrity of football. FIFA, when asked for further comment, indicated it had "nothing more" to add at that time.

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What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant.