Jurgen Klopp has labelled as 'crazy' the allegations that United States President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the governing body suspended Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban. The former Liverpool manager, working as a pundit in North America for Magenta TV, did not hold back when asked about the controversy.
Klopp's reaction
Speaking on Magenta TV, Klopp said: "If that really was the case, then that's crazy. Let's just say: this is our game, not theirs. These two people, who both have no idea about football, should have nothing to do with that." He added: "That was a red card, there's no two ways about it. We're sorry for Balogun because he didn't mean to do it, but that's what the rules say."
FIFA's decision
FIFA confirmed the suspension of Balogun's ban on Sunday, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code. The statement read: "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year." It added that if Balogun commits a similar infringement during probation, the suspension will be revoked and the original sanction enforced.
Trump's response
Trump took to Truth Social to thank FIFA, saying: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" The intervention is almost unprecedented in World Cup history, with only Brazil's Garrincha having had a ban overturned before the 1962 final. Balogun is now free to play for the US in their round-of-16 clash against Belgium.
