Fact Check: Did Trump admit that he ordered FIFA to reverse Folarin Balogun's one-game ban?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid debate surrounding FIFA's reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card, a claim began circulating on social media that President Donald Trump personally ordered FIFA to reverse Balogun's one-game ban, with a viral post suggesting he admitted to his role in the controversial move. Let us analyze and fact-check the viral claim.
Claim: Donald Trump admitted that he ordered FIFA to reverse Folarin Balogun's ban
According to the viral claim that surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), Trump personally ordered FIFA to reverse Folarin Balogun's one-game ban.
"Sleepy Joe or Crazy Kamala would never do this. America, you're welcome," the POTUS allegedly said, suggesting that he admitted to his role in the controversial move.
The claim has been amplified by several other accounts, also spreading on Facebook and Instagram, garnering thousands of views as of this writing.
While most comments under the post were critical of Trump, indicating that many believe it is true, a few others dismissed it as fake and called for a fact-check.
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The claim is false, as there are no credible reports of Trump ordering the soccer federation to reverse Balogun's red card or that he admitted to doing so.
Although there are unverified reports that White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Presdient Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, there is no evidence to prove Trump’s involvement in the issue.
Moreover, the federation’s sources claimed that White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.
A search on Google for the claim yielded no relevant reports by prominent news and sports media outlets about Trump’s alleged remark, which, if true, would have made headlines, triggering widespread backlash.
Moreover, the X account that first posted the claim is a parody account that describes itself in the bio as "satire."
Donald Trump praises FIFA after Folarin Balogun's ban is lifted
The claim surfaced after FIFA stunned many by lifting Balogun's ban, invoking a rarely used bylaw to suspend the red card from his previous match.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, July 5, the president praised the shocking ruling that clears Balogun to play on Monday night against Belgium in the pivotal Round of 16 World Cup match.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. He received a red card after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, which was confirmed after a VAR review, leaving the US with 10 players.
