By Toby TAIWO
President Donald Trump told reporters in his office today that he personally spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun, but didn’t pressure it to overturn the decision.
Balogun was sent off during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Although FIFA regulations normally impose an automatic one-match suspension for a straight red card, the governing body later suspended Balogun’s ban, making him eligible for Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said.
“I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”
The US president insisted Balogun’s challenge did not warrant a red card.
ALSO READ: FIFA explain Balogun’s eligibility against Belgium after red card
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said.
“So I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete. I understand sports really well. Really well.
“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. You can’t take your foot and properly place it on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. These were two great athletes that got tangled up.
“If he punched him in the face, if he did something wrong, I’d feel differently.”
Trump also questioned Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, describing him as “very suspect” and claiming he had made “a call that nobody could believe.”
