Sports
‘That Referee Was Very Suspect’ — Trump Reveals What He Told FIFA President Over Balogun’s Red Card
Donald Trump has slammed the referee who sent off U.S. striker Folarin Balogun as “very suspect” after FIFA overturned the player’s World Cup suspension…
- Donald Trump has slammed the referee who sent off U.S. striker Folarin Balogun as “very suspect” after FIFA overturned the player’s World Cup suspension, a decision that has sparked widespread controversy across the football world.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the FIFA World Cup referee who sent off American striker Folarin Balogun, describing the official as “very suspect” after FIFA overturned the player’s one-match suspension ahead of the United States’ Round of 16 clash with Belgium.
Speaking at the White House, Trump insisted Balogun’s dismissal against Bosnia-Herzegovina should never have happened.
“I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports… That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. This referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe.”
The president also admitted he pushed for FIFA to review the decision.
“Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out, I said, ‘You gotta be kidding!’”
FIFA later suspended the implementation of Balogun’s one-match ban under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium unless he commits a similar offence within a one-year probationary period.
The decision has divided opinion across the football world.
While U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino and captain Christian Pulisic welcomed the ruling, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia questioned the move, saying:
“It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision has been taken.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association also expressed shock over the decision, while UEFA reportedly described FIFA’s intervention as “unjustifiable.”
Former England stars Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney were equally critical, with Rooney calling the decision “an absolute disgrace.”
Trump later thanked FIFA for what he described as “reversing a great injustice” after the suspension was lifted.
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