Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun Red Card Ban, Suspension Lifted

President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week to request a review of the red card suspension handed to US soccer star Folarin Balogun — a highly unusual intervention that preceded FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban, clearing Balogun to play in the round of 16 against Belgium on Monday evening.

Trump Calls the Red Card “Very Unfair”

Speaking at an Oval Office event, Trump said he watched the July 1 match between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina and believed the red card — issued after Balogun landed on an opposing player’s ankle — was “very unfair” and that the incident “wasn’t a foul.”

“So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA,” Trump said. He added that he did not direct Infantino on what decision to make. “I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do,” Trump said. “And I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision.”

A US official told ABC News that Trump and Infantino discussed the circumstances of the red card, and that the US government provided additional evidence used in the appeal process.

FIFA Reverses Course, Suspends the Ban

The red card, issued during the second half of the Bosnia-Herzegovina match, automatically triggered a one-game suspension that would have kept Balogun out of Monday’s round of 16 fixture. FIFA initially told outlets that the referee’s call was final and could not be overturned or appealed during World Cup play — a standard rule that has stood since 1962, the last time a red card was successfully reviewed at the tournament.

However, on Sunday FIFA reversed its position. The governing body announced that “the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.” Under the terms of the decision, if Balogun commits another infringement of similar severity during that period, the original suspension would be reinstated alongside any new penalty.

In a statement Monday, Infantino said he regularly speaks with Trump and other heads of state about World Cup-related matters, and acknowledged receiving the call. “During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies,” Infantino wrote. “That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.”

Belgium Appeals — and Loses

The Balogun red card FIFA World Cup suspension reversal drew swift criticism from Belgium. The Royal Belgian Football Association filed an appeal against the decision, arguing it was improper. FIFA’s Appeal Committee rejected that challenge Monday, ruling it “inadmissible” on the grounds that Belgium was not a party to the original proceedings and therefore had no legal standing to appeal.

US Soccer Pleased, Belgium Match on the Line

US Soccer welcomed the outcome. “Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans,” the federation said in a statement Sunday. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino had described Balogun as “disappointed” by the original call, noting the contact was not intentional.

The United States and Belgium faced off Monday evening at Seattle Stadium at 8 p.m. Eastern time, with Balogun available to play after the suspension was lifted.