Trump reportedly contacted FIFA president over player's red card ban

In an unprecedented move, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly intervened in a disciplinary matter concerning the U.S. Men's National Team, contacting FIFA President Gianni Infantino directly. The focus of Trump's call was the one-game suspension Folarin Balogun was set to serve after receiving a straight red card in the team's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to reports from The Washington Post and AFP, Balogun's red card would have automatically sidelined him for the crucial Round of 16 match against Belgium. However, FIFA made a decision to defer the execution of the ban, a move that allowed the young forward to participate in the game against the Belgians.

This decision by FIFA to defer Balogun's suspension is a first in the history of the World Cup. Previously, any player receiving a red card had to serve their mandatory ban in the immediately following match. The White House and the U.S. Soccer Federation have both acknowledged contact with FIFA regarding the situation, though neither has definitively stated that their intervention was the deciding factor in FIFA's ultimate ruling.

Following FIFA's decision, Trump publicly celebrated the outcome on his social media platform, Truth Social, thanking FIFA for overturning the ban. The reports suggest that Trump and Infantino share a good relationship, which may have facilitated the president's direct appeal to the international football governing body.

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Thank you to FIFA for rescinding the ban.