Trump Admits Contacting FIFA President Over Balogun Red Card, FIFA May Change Rules
Reports indicate FIFA is set to revise its rules on red card suspensions following President Trump's intervention in a USMNT player's ejection.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the controversial red card issued to U.S. Men's National Team player Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match. The intervention by Trump, who has developed a relationship with Infantino, is reportedly prompting FIFA to consider amending its rules on automatic suspensions for red card offenses.
Balogun received a questionable red card in a Round of 32 World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would have automatically suspended him for the subsequent game against Belgium. However, the suspension was overturned after FIFA reviewed the decision, a move that generated significant controversy and appeals from the Royal Belgian Football Association. Ultimately, the U.S. lost the match against Belgium 4-1, rendering Balogun's availability moot.
Trump stated that he asked for a review of the red card because he did not believe it was a foul. "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 added that he relayed his opinion but did not believe Infantino made the decision alone, suggesting a committee was involved. Trump asserted that the committee made the correct decision as "it wasn’t a foul" and that soccer games should feature the best players.
Reports suggest that FIFA is prepared to revise its regulations prohibiting red-card suspensions during a significant meeting scheduled for Thursday. This meeting will involve Infantino, eight vice presidents, and 28 other members, marking their first gathering since the World Cup.
The FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to Trump at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December, will also be reviewed at Thursday's meeting.
This situation comes after other controversies surrounding Infantino and FIFA, including a previously proposed and quickly scrapped plan for private investors to buy shares in the World Cup through an entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).