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Trump called FIFA president over US player's red card, leading to ban reversal
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Trump called FIFA president over US player's red card, leading to ban reversal

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a red card suspension for USA striker Folarin Balogun.
  • Balogun received a straight red card for stepping on an opponent, which automatically incurred a one-game ban for the USA's next match.
  • FIFA later suspended the ban for one year, a decision Trump praised as reversing a "great injustice," though Belgium's football association expressed astonishment.

U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in a FIFA decision, calling President Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun was issued a straight red card during the USA's 2-0 victory for inadvertently stepping on an opponent, Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. Under FIFA regulations, such a card automatically results in a one-game ban, ruling Balogun out of the USA's subsequent match against Belgium.

According to The New York Times, which cited three unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Trump contacted Infantino on Wednesday to discuss the decision. FIFA subsequently took the unusual step on Sunday of suspending the ban for one year.

reversing a great injustice.

— Donald TrumpTrump's social media post thanking FIFA for suspending Folarin Balogun's red card ban.

Following FIFA's decision, Trump took to social media to thank the governing body for "reversing a great injustice." However, the decision was met with surprise from Belgium's football association, which stated on Sunday that it was "astonished" by FIFA's move.

The incident highlights an unusual level of presidential engagement with a sporting disciplinary matter, leading to a reversal of a standard penalty. While Trump celebrated the outcome, other football bodies expressed bewilderment.

astonished

— Belgium's football associationThe Belgian football association's reaction to FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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