Trump Denies Telling FIFA What to Do After Seeking Review of US Player’s Ban

Trump Says He Only Requested Review of Balogun Red Card, Denies Telling FIFA What to Do

US President Donald Trump has denied trying to influence FIFA’s disciplinary process after speaking with FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun, insisting he merely asked for the incident to be reviewed.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he believed Balogun’s dismissal was unjustified and felt the decision deserved another look. However, he rejected suggestions that he pressured FIFA or sought to dictate the outcome.

“I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a red card,” Trump said. “I didn’t tell FIFA what to do. I just wanted them to take another look.”

Trump also criticised the referee, calling the officiating “terrible,” but maintained that the final decision rested entirely with FIFA.

After FIFA overturned Balogun’s automatic suspension, Trump welcomed the outcome in a post on Truth Social, thanking the governing body for what he described as correcting an unfair decision.

The controversy began after Balogun was sent off during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. The dismissal initially carried an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of the Round of 16.

Following a review, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended the implementation of the ban under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium while placing the sanction under a one-year probationary period.

The decision drew criticism from Belgium’s football federation, which argued that FIFA had departed from its own competition regulations governing automatic suspensions for red cards. Belgian officials questioned the consistency of the ruling and said they were examining the matter.

The United States, meanwhile, welcomed the verdict, with Balogun remaining available after emerging as one of the team’s standout performers during the tournament.

Trump’s admission that he contacted Infantino has added another layer to the debate, prompting questions about the role of political figures in football governance. The US president, however, insisted his involvement went no further than requesting a review and that FIFA reached its decision independently.