FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that he received a call from U.S. President Donald Trump concerning a red card suspension for American soccer player Folarin Balogun. Infantino, however, stressed the independence of FIFA's judicial bodies in making such decisions.
Trump had stated he asked FIFA to review the red card issued to Balogun, a key player for the U.S. World Cup team, after an incident during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun received a red card after a video assistant referee (VAR) review showed him stepping on an opponent's ankle. The suspension would have caused him to miss a match against Belgium.
"I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues," Infantino said in a statement. "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies."
Infantino elaborated on FIFA's internal processes, stating that "FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent" and "operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them." He added that while he reads the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and sometimes agrees or disagrees with them, he always respects their autonomy.
Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, expressed his view that the initial call was not a foul and that Balogun should have been allowed to play. "I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain," Trump said. He also criticized the referee's initial call, stating, "I think the referee’s call was horrible."
Trump argued that allowing top players like Balogun to participate is crucial for the integrity of major tournaments, comparing the situation to potential red cards for international stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Harry Kane. He believed FIFA made the "right decision" by overturning the one-game suspension, which he felt would have "stained" the championship.
FIFA ultimately decided to suspend the one-game ban for Balogun, allowing him to play. Belgium's appeal against this decision was dismissed later on Monday.