Trump personally lobbied Fifa to overturn US player Balogun's World Cup suspension, reports claim

DONALD TRUMP PERSONALLY lobbied Fifa to overturn United States striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension after the forward was sent off in the previous round, according to multiple reports.

Balogun had been due to miss the US side’s last-16 clash against Belgium today after receiving a straight red card during a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Under Fifa rules, a straight red card automatically carries a one-match suspension.

However, football’s governing body announced on Sunday that the suspension would instead be placed on probation for one year, allowing Balogun to feature in the knockout tie while retaining the red card on his disciplinary record.

Fifa cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows disciplinary sanctions to be suspended in certain circumstances.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump telephoned Fifa president Gianni Infantino after the sending-off, telling him that “everyone” was saying the decision was wrong and urging him to review the automatic suspension.

The US outlet reported that Infantino later called Trump back to inform him Balogun would be available to face Belgium.

The Guardian reported that Trump made three calls to Fifa over the course of several days in an effort to have the suspension lifted.

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Trump appeared to confirm his satisfaction with the outcome, posting on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

The decision has sparked a major row just hours before the last-16 fixture.

Belgium’s football association said it was “astonished” by Fifa’s decision, arguing it directly contradicts tournament regulations providing for an automatic suspension following a straight red card.

The federation said it is examining “all potential options” to protect “the fundamental principles of fair play”.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia mocked the decision, saying: “I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5 July is now the 1 April.”

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken also criticised Fifa, calling it “a bad, bad, bad decision” that would cast a shadow over the remainder of the United States’ tournament regardless of how far the team progresses.

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, had previously said he accepted the suspension despite believing the challenge was accidental.

US manager Mauricio Pochettino welcomed Sunday’s decision, describing the original red card as “completely unfair”, while captain Christian Pulisic called Balogun’s availability “a boost” ahead of the last-16 clash in Seattle.

With reporting from AFP

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