Trump slams 'a little bit suspect' FIFA referee who gave Balogun a red card at World Cup

WASHINGTON, DC: A day after several reports claimed the suspension of Folarin Balogun's red card ban was influenced by President Donald Trump, POTUS himself confirmed that he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's red card ban.

Trump said he called to see if he could get US Men’s National Team star Folarin Balogun reinstated for the next World Cup match scheduled on Monday, July 6.

Trump explains why he contacted FIFA president

During the White House press conference on Monday, Trump was asked to describe his call with Infantino.

The president said he “understands sports really, really well,” so he felt compelled to say something when he saw a slow-motion replay of the collision that led to Balogun’s red card.

“They got sort of entangled. He didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player — or one of our best players. A very vital player. And he gave him a red card. I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t think it meant much,” Trump said.

“Then I started hearing that that means he can’t play in the next game — at least in the next game. I said, boy, that’s a big [problem]. You know, if it happened to another player, it would have been unfair. But when they take your best player, or just about — they have some great players — and they say you can’t play, that’s very unfair,” he added.

Trump continued, “It’s one thing to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize him for a game that hasn’t been played yet? You can’t do that. So yes, I asked for a review.”

He added that the ref who made the call was “a little bit suspect.”

Trump further talked about the subject a few more minutes, praising Infantino and saying that his respect had gone up by “10-fold.”

Trump says he only sought review

Trump circled back a moment later to the call he made.

“All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say you have to do this. This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino. He’s a smart, tough man, and his stock has gone through the roof because the job he’s done has been great,” Trump said.

“And I feel we have to have all the best players on the field. You can’t take the best players,” he added.

The president said he was "very glad" about the decision, though Team Belgium was not. The Royal Belgian Football Association complained, saying it was astonished that Balogun would be allowed to play on Monday.