Trump defends Balogun red card review call for World Cup

President Donald Trump recently defended his decision to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino, leading to the controversial overturning of a one-game suspension for U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun. Trump stated, “I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” in reference to the red card issued to Balogun during a recent match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trump admitted, “I didn’t know what the hell a red card was,” emphasizing his unfamiliarity with soccer rules. The suspension would have prevented Balogun from playing in the upcoming game against Belgium, but FIFA ultimately lifted the ban, allowing him to participate.

Despite criticism, Trump clarified that he did not dictate the decision to Infantino, acknowledging that he could not influence FIFA’s rulings. The president expressed the significance of Balogun’s participation in the match against Belgium, emphasizing the potential impact on the game’s outcome.

As this story develops, stay tuned for updates on the situation. For more business news, consider selecting CNBC as your preferred source on Google.