Trump Confirms He Asked FIFA To Review Folarin Balogun Suspension

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review the one-match suspension handed to USA striker Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup, saying the decision to overturn the ban was the correct one.

Balogun, the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament, had been due to miss Tuesday’s last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle after receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round.

The dismissal followed a VAR review of a challenge that automatically carried a one-match suspension. However, FIFA on Monday suspended the ban for 12 months, making the 25-year-old available for selection.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident, insisting he did not pressure football’s governing body to reverse the punishment.

“I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled,” said Trump.

“I think it [the suspension] would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”

The US president also addressed the issue during remarks in the Oval Office, where he defended Balogun and questioned the referee’s decision.

“I spoke to Gianni, who’s highly respected,” Trump said.

“I saw the play and I’m a person who loves sports and was a good athlete, and I understand sports really well, really well and that wasn’t a foul, that wasn’t even an infraction, that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other.

“These were two great athletes that got tangled up and this referee, who is a little bit suspect, if you check his past. I don’t want to say that, because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspicious.

“He made a call that nobody could believe. He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong and he’s our best player, or one of our best players… and he (the referee) gave him a red card.

“It’s very unfair, you can’t do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who’s highly respected (Infantino) and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold.”

FIFA has yet to explain the basis for suspending Balogun’s ban. Its statutes prohibit political interference in matters involving member associations, prompting fresh debate over the circumstances surrounding the decision.

Naija News reports that Belgium have appealed against the ruling, while UEFA criticised the move, saying it had “crossed a line”.