United States President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he personally requested FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the controversial red card issued to American striker Folarin Balogun.
The disclosure, reported by The Guardian, comes after FIFA rescinded the automatic one-match ban on Sunday, despite earlier assertions that disciplinary dismissals could not be appealed.
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“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said from the Oval Office.
The president clarified his boundaries regarding the soccer federation during a conversation with reporters.
“I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do,” Trump said.
The incident occurred during a 2-0 victory for the United States over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, where Balogun scored the opening goal before his dismissal.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said.
Trump highlighted his personal background and understanding of athletic movements to defend the American striker.
“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,” Trump said.
The president detailed the physical dynamics of the collision between the two players on the field.
“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.
