The United States were eliminated from the World Cup on Monday night after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
The result was met with widespread joy, as it followed President Donald Trump's admission that he had personally intervened to overturn a red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun.
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Trump claimed he made three phone calls to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to get the ban rescinded. “I’m good at this stuff,” he told reporters.
The move backfired spectacularly, with Belgium using the controversy as motivation to dominate the match.
Whitehousery on display
The incident has been dubbed “Whitehousery” by observers, a play on the football term “shithousery” referring to unsporting behavior.
Critics argue that Trump's interference undermined the integrity of the tournament.
FIFA's decision to overturn Balogun's red card was based on Article 27, an obscure rule that allowed the suspension to be lifted.
Infantino defended the move, but his explanation was met with widespread skepticism.
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Blatter and UEFA join criticism
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter condemned the decision, stating that “red cards are not overturned by political phone calls.”
UEFA also issued a statement expressing “disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
Several members of the European Parliament have called for an ethics investigation into FIFA over the affair.
The controversy has further strained relations between FIFA and European football bodies.
Trump's intervention was particularly ironic given that Balogun, who was born in London, would have faced restrictions under Trump's immigration policies.
The Supreme Court recently struck down Trump's attempt to limit birthright citizenship.
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For now, Trump and Infantino remain in power, but many hope the eventual World Cup champions will avoid having their glory tainted by the two figures.
