President Donald Trump has mounted a robust defence of his decision to lobby FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a controversial disciplinary ruling, confirming that he personally requested a review of the contentious World Cup red card issued to United States forward Folarin Balogun, as he believed the penalty was horrible and unfair. The intervention, which resulted in the immediate reversal of the player's suspension, allowed the striker to participate in Monday's high-stakes World Cup 2026 knockout match against Belgium.
Speaking on 6 July, the president confirmed that he had personally contacted Infantino to request a review of the punishment imposed on Folarin Balogun. The American goalscorer was sent off, earning a one-game ban that would have kept him out of a critical knockout clash with Belgium in Seattle. Following a telephone appeal from the president to Infantino, the governing body reversed the suspension. Balogun is now cleared to play on Monday, leaving the sporting world to unpack exactly how this wild situation unfolded.
