Fact Check: Did the White House force FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the controversies surrounding the Federation Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA) decision to lift the ban on US soccer star Folarin Balogun, a rumor began circulating on social media claiming that the White House was involved in the reversal of Balogun’s red card.
Let us fact-check the viral claim.
Claim: White House involved in the reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card
According to the viral claim, the White House made a direct call to football's governing body, FIFA, to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card.
The claim surfaced after President Donald Trump celebrated FIFA’s decision to lift the ban on Balogun, praising the move as a reversal of an injustice.
Taking to Truth Social on Sunday afternoon, the president wrote, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
The claim sparked widespread outrage and criticism of the Trump administration and FIFA, with critics citing a rarely used bylaw that was invoked to overturn the red card issued to Balogun in his previous match.
Fact Check: The claim could not be independently verified
Journalist Ben Jacobs shared on X, stating, “The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card. FIFA sources insist White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.”
However, Jacobs’ claim could not be independently verified. Therefore, the claim is rated as unconfirmed.
FIFA sources also insisted that White House influence could not have affected the decision “due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.”
There is also no credible evidence to support the claim.
Trump blasts Folarin Balogun red card
Balogun was shown a red card in the USA’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the co-hosts won 2-0.
The USMNT striker, who scored the opening goal in the first half, was sent off in the 64th minute following a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.
His red card was upheld following a VAR review, leaving the USA with 10 men. Following the decision, the White House and President Trump were reportedly unhappy with the call.
