United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun.
He, however, insisted that he did not pressure football’s governing body to overturn the automatic suspension.
Balogun was sent off during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card usually carries an automatic one-match suspension. However, FIFA later suspended Balogun’s ban, making him eligible to feature in Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he merely requested a review because he believed the dismissal was incorrect.
“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he merely requested a review because he believed the dismissal was incorrect.
“I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”
The US president insisted Balogun’s challenge did not warrant a red card.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said.
“So I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete. I understand sports really well. Really well.
“That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other. You can’t take your foot and properly place it on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. These were two great athletes that got tangled up.
“If he punched him in the face, if he did something wrong, I’d feel differently.” he said.