Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor and Guardian US columnist, has criticized Donald Trump for intervening in the World Cup by asking FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun received a red card in a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would have sidelined him for Monday's game against Belgium. Trump confirmed the request on social media, thanking FIFA for reversing what he called a 'great injustice.'
Trump’s Intervention Undermines Fair Play
Reich argues that Trump’s actions teach a dangerous lesson: that America does not accept losses or referee decisions. He contrasts this with the values he tried to instill in his children during their youth sports, emphasizing that the purpose of games is to have fun, respect opponents, and follow rules. Reich recalls telling his sons, 'We have to rely on referees. That’s part of the game.'
According to Reich, Trump’s intervention has ruined the World Cup for him, raising doubts about whether any US victory is earned fairly. He questions how athletes can celebrate when the president uses political power to change a referee’s call.
Integrity of the Game and America at Stake
Reich warns that bullies who alter rules to favor themselves destroy trust in any system, be it sports, politics, or the economy. He draws parallels to Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack, asserting that Trump has tarnished both the World Cup’s integrity and America’s reputation.
'Trump is showing the world once again that America doesn’t play by the rules,' Reich writes, emphasizing that such actions undermine the moral lessons parents try to teach their children about fairness and honesty.
