Trump admits calling FIFA over a red card; the reversal for the US striker sparks an outcry

Monday, July 6th 2026 - 23:43 UTC

Full article 5 comments

US President Donald Trump admitted he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun be reviewed, after the body reversed the suspension that would have kept him out of the round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision, unprecedented in more than six decades of World Cups, triggered a wave of criticism and formal protests from the Belgian federation and UEFA. Read full article

Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

FortHay
What a disgrace ! Even if one disagrees with the call, after the ref and VAR have had a chance to review it at the game, such a decision must stand. Will the players and spectators do the right and effective thing and boycott the game? Don't count on it and that's why the corrupt FIFA leadership and egomaniac Donald get away with it.
Jul 06th, 2026 - 06:08 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
-+
Pugol-H
Yes, although I do think there is going to be fallout from this.

Gianni Infantino will be in the firing line.

EUFA have made a strong statement, we shall see if this is repeated by other federations around the world and if anything comes of it.
Jul 06th, 2026 - 09:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
imoyaro
Oh my, looks like it was all for nought... “The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium”...
Jul 07th, 2026 - 03:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
Little J
The FIFA and all other institutions related to soccer or any other sporting event worldwide should learn to abide by the decision taken by the referee or umpire as the case might be, which is final and sacrosant.

President Trump should keep his nose out matters, which are of no concern to him.

This is a sports issue which should have no relation to political issues nor politicians who get involved in matters of absolutely no concern to them.
Jul 07th, 2026 - 11:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
Pugol-H
I particularly like Trumps comment ‘I didn't think it was a foul. And, you know, again, I'm good at this stuff... I understand sports really well’.

When he probably doesn’t know the difference between offside and LBW.
Jul 07th, 2026 - 12:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!