US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to consider suspending US striker Folarin Balogun for one match at the World Cup.
“It was the right decision by the soccer community to suspend Balogun’s ban,” Trump said. “If it had been implemented, it would have left a huge stain on the competition.”
Balogun, his country’s top scorer at the tournament, was due to be suspended for Tuesday’s round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
But on Monday night FIFA suspended the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, clearing the way for the 25-year-old forward to be selected.
At the White House on Monday, Trump said he had asked FIFA to review the decision because “I didn’t think it was a foul.”
Trump confirmed he had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but said all he did was ask for a review, adding that he had not told the Swiss that Balogun’s ban should be suspended.
Trump: “I thought they were two great athletes who clashed with each other.”
“I think (the suspension) would have left a big dent. You can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision. I believe the committee made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
