U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson has addressed the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, which was ultimately overturned, and the subsequent involvement of President Donald Trump. Batson did not state whether the White House's intervention was a misstep but expressed gratitude for the support received.
"The president is able to do what the president wants to do," Batson told reporters on Thursday. "The president is the president of the United States. Obviously we’re incredibly grateful for all the support from all of our fans across the country, wherever they are, and we’re excited about that."
Batson, along with U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich, reportedly led the organization's efforts to contest the initial ruling, citing incorrect application of VAR and threatening legal action. President Trump's call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified global attention on the situation, leading to perceptions of a political favor being granted to the U.S. and reportedly motivating the Belgian team.
The controversy also appeared to affect the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), which lost to Belgium 4-1. Balogun himself acknowledged the situation's impact, telling "CBS This Morning" that his teammates experienced "a bit of nerves" due to the unique circumstances and "a lot of outside noise."
Despite the controversy, Batson suggested that the widespread attention was ultimately beneficial for the growth of soccer in the United States. He pointed to the public's strong reactions and the significant media coverage as indicators of the sport's increasing cultural relevance.
"I think the outpouring of support was incredible," Batson said. "And at many points along the way, my phone blew up when people felt like we got a bad foul called on us or they felt like there was an opportunity for something to improve. I think that’s a sign of us growing as a soccer culture. People care."
He further stated that the fact the issue "cut through" and generated discussion on sports talk radio, areas previously less accessible to soccer discourse, signifies the sport's progress. "To me, that’s a sign of the growth of our sport. It’s a sign of the success of this tournament," Batson added.