Trump says World Cup referee's red card call was 'horrible' but insists he left outcome to FIFA | Chattanooga Times Free Press

World Cup referee controversy stayed prominent as President Donald Trump said he helped trigger FIFA’s review of a red card to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, while arguing he did not demand a specific outcome. Speaking at an Oval Office event on Monday, Trump said, “All I did was ask for a review,” after calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump confirmed the request related to Balogun’s red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, last week. FIFA ultimately lifted Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban, enabling him to play the Round of 16 versus Belgium in Seattle.

Trump called the original referee decision a “horrible” call and said it would have tarnished the tournament if the U.S., which was led by Balogun’s three goals at this World Cup, had lost with him suspended. Many in the U.S. welcomed FIFA’s reversal, but international sports bodies criticized the move as interference. Belgium’s federation challenged Balogun’s eligibility, and UEFA called FIFA’s action “incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” Belgium won 4-1 and eliminated the Americans. Immediately after Trump’s comments, Infantino defended FIFA’s disciplinary independence on X, citing an ongoing legal process handled by independent judicial bodies.