President Donald Trump reportedly made three separate phone calls to lobby FIFA before Folarin Balogun's red card was overturned, according to a bombshell report from The Guardian. The USA talisman's straight red card was wiped out ahead of their last 16 clash with Belgium, leaving the football world stunned.
Trump's Intervention
The Guardian revealed that Trump contacted FIFA on three occasions, starting last Wednesday, before the remarkable U-turn was announced on Sunday. FIFA's decision, which suspended Balogun's ban for a probationary period of one year, has caused tremors due to Trump's involvement, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino facing sharp criticism.
FIFA's statement read: "In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
Belgium's Outrage
USA's opponents Belgium are "astonished" over the reversal and issued a strongly-worded statement. Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said: "I didn’t know that July 5 was equal to April 1 [April Fools’ Day] at Fifa. I think we should refer to the [statement] of my federation, the Belgian federation. I think a lot of things are in it. The federation does not defend itself, it does not defend the national team – it defends football in general. It defends its integrity. It defends its ethics."
Trump's Reaction
Despite the anger from elsewhere, Trump was euphoric after the decision. He said: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
