Trump intervenes in football dispute over Balogun red card

In a White House press briefing today, US President Donald Trump defended striker Folarin Balogun after the player received a red card in the United States' 2‑0 victory over Bosnia, arguing the dismissal was unjust and urging FIFA to review the suspension before the upcoming match against Belgium.

Trump opened the briefing by saying, “I saw the foul,” and emphasized his lifelong love of sport, noting he was once a good athlete himself. He described the incident as two boys running at full speed and colliding, insisting it was not a foul.

He singled out Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who issued the red card after VAR intervention, as “a bit suspicious” and hinted at a questionable past. Trump added that even Bosnia said they were lucky to avoid a harsher decision.

Trump asserted that Balogun did nothing wrong and called the striker one of the United States’ best players. He admitted he did not know a red card automatically triggers a suspension for the next match.

The president said he asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a review, claiming Infantino gained ten times more influence from the decision. Trump insisted he had made sure the review was granted.

According to Trump, the intervention was necessary to prevent the United States from missing a key player in the upcoming fixture against Belgium. He warned that excluding a top talent would be unfair.

The episode highlights how political figures can shape football governance, blurring the line between sport and diplomacy. Trump’s involvement underscores the growing influence of high‑profile leaders on international football decisions.