Donald Trump: Folarin Balogun suspension would have left ‘big stain’ on World Cup
President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to review US forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match World Cup suspension.
Trump said football’s world governing body “made the right decision” to suspend Balogun’s ban, adding that it would leave a “huge stain” on the tournament if implemented.
Balogun, his country’s top scorer in the current tournament, was expected to be suspended for Tuesday’s last-16 tie against Belgium in Seattle.
However, on Monday night, FIFA suspended the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, paving the way for the 25-year-old striker to be selected.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he asked FIFA to review the decision because he “didn’t think it was a foul.”
Trump confirmed he had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino but said “all he did” was ask for a review, adding that he did not tell the Swiss he should suspend Balogun’s ban.
“I thought it was two great athletes bumping into each other and getting tangled up,” Trump said.
“I think [the suspension] It would leave a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made this decision; I think it is the commission that made this decision. And it was the right decision.”
