Report: Trump intervened with FIFA president over player's ban

Former U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of U.S. national team striker Folarin Balogun. The New York Times reported that Trump's intervention preceded FIFA's decision to suspend the player's ban, a move that has sparked considerable controversy.

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FIFA corrected a great injustice.

Balogun received a direct red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. According to FIFA regulations, the player was automatically set to miss the Round of 16 match against Belgium due to the incident, where he "unintentionally" stepped on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Sources familiar with the matter told the American newspaper that Trump contacted Infantino on Wednesday, urging a review of the suspension. Subsequently, on Sunday, FIFA announced a one-year suspension of the penalty, permitting Balogun to participate in the match against Belgium. Trump publicly praised the decision on social media, calling it the correction of a "great injustice."

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The Belgian Football Association stated it was 'astonished' by FIFA's move.

However, the decision has drawn strong criticism from Belgium. The Belgian Football Association expressed its "astonishment" at FIFA's move, while national team coach Rudi Garcia initially believed the news to be an April Fools' Day prank. The intervention and subsequent decision have raised questions about external influence on FIFA's disciplinary actions.

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He initially thought the news was an April Fools' Day joke.