Trump jokes about pressuring FIFA boss over Balogun’s red card: ‘I’d like to wage a complaint’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump recalled his phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the reversal of US soccer star Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, joking about the unusual intervention during a reception at Trump Tower on Friday.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, Trump described the episode involving Balogun’s red card ban as "probably the most unforgettable moment" of the tournament.

Trump said Balogun’s one-match suspension after receiving a red card during the July 1 match against Bosnia was a moment that led him to contact Infantino directly.

Trump recalls FIFA call over Balogun’s red card suspension

Trump said he personally reached out to Infantino after the incident and discussed the possibility of reversing the suspension.

"Unforgettable moments. Probably the most unforgettable was when they gave a red card. I was forced to call Gianni and just make a recommendation. It was so much better the way it worked out because there was no controversy. You made another great decision. You…" Trump said.

"I was forced to call Gianni and just make a recommendation," he added.

"I said, 'Gianni, I'd like to make a recommendation: Let the guy in the game!' No I didn't say that. I said I'd like to wage a complaint. And actually…I had no idea what was gonna happen."

FIFA later reversed the suspension, allowing Balogun to return for the US team on July 6. However, the United States lost 1-4 to Belgium, ending its World Cup run.

Trump said the decision prevented further debate over whether the team’s performance could have been different without Balogun available.

"It's so much better the way it worked out because there's no controversy," Trump said while standing beside Infantino.

"They won the game, and our team had all of its players. Think of it. If he didn't allow him and they lost, they'd say we would have won the game if we had our best player. So, Gianni made yet another of his many good decisions."

The decision drew criticism from soccer officials and observers who argued that political leaders should not influence disciplinary matters.

The European Union of Football Associations called FIFA’s decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he initially believed the move was a joke, while the Belgian Football Federation said it would review its options.

Balogun calls Trump’s FIFA intervention ‘unique’

Balogun acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding the decision, saying he was happy to return to the squad but understood that the situation would attract attention.

"My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my team-mates a bit of nerves, because it’s something that is so unique," he told CBS News this week.

Following the backlash, Infantino released a statement emphasizing FIFA’s disciplinary independence.

"FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them," he said.

Trump also used Friday’s remarks to suggest that the United States could host a future World Cup "without Mexico and Canada" and repeated his claims about election fraud. He is scheduled to attend Sunday’s final and present the trophy to the winning team.