Donald Trump admits lobbying Gianni Infantino over Folarin Balogun red card
Donald Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “review” United States striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card.
The world governing body announced on Sunday that the automatic one-match ban for Balogun’s dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina had been suspended, with the Americans’ last-16 opponents, Belgium, appealing – unsuccessfully – against the decision.
President Trump has now stated he asked for the dismissal to be looked at, and said he would have felt Monday night’s match against Belgium would have been “rigged” if Balogun had not been able to play.
FIFA has strict rules around political interference in the business of its national associations, with the Nepalese federation suspended just last month for third-party interference.
Infantino issued a statement on Monday evening saying the decision had been taken by its independent disciplinary committee, but earlier Trump revealed he had lobbied Infantino.
“I saw the play… that (challenge by Balogun) wasn’t a foul, that wasn’t even an infraction, that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other,” he said.
“These were two great athletes that got tangled up and this referee, who is a little bit suspect, if you check his past, he made a call that nobody could believe. He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong and he’s our best player, or one of our best players… and he (the referee) gave him a red card.
“It’s very unfair, you can’t do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who’s highly respected (Infantino) and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub