President Trump acknowledged Monday that he had no understanding of soccer's red card rule before personally intervening to overturn a penalty against U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, a decision that has ignited a firestorm of controversy ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he requested a review of the call because he believed the collision between Balogun and an opponent was not a foul. “I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” he said. “And you know, again, I’m good at this stuff.”
The president described the incident as “two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled.” He criticized the referee’s decision, saying, “I think the referee’s call was horrible, and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. Red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was, but when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.'”
Trump also questioned the referee’s authority, noting that the official wielded “a lot of power,” but added, “but then I looked at his past, and it wasn’t so great.” The president has previously labeled the referee as 'suspect' following the reversal.
FIFA reversed Balogun’s red card on Sunday, clearing him to play in the U.S. team’s round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. The reversal came after Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and urged him to review the penalty. The move has drawn sharp criticism from European soccer bodies, with UEFA condemning the decision as a 'red-line' breach of protocol.
The Belgian federation has appealed FIFA’s ruling, saying it was “astonished” by the decision. It remains unclear whether FIFA will consider the appeal before the match kicks off at 8 p.m. EDT in Seattle. The controversy has cast a shadow over the tournament, with critics accusing Trump of exerting undue influence over the sport’s governing body.
Trump’s intervention has sparked outrage among soccer officials worldwide. Norway's coach blasted the reversal as a 'bad decision', while others have questioned the integrity of the World Cup. The incident has also fueled broader debates about political interference in international sports.
As the U.S. team prepares for its critical match, the fallout from Trump’s involvement continues to escalate, with many wondering whether FIFA will face lasting damage to its credibility. The president’s admission of ignorance about basic soccer rules has only added to the controversy, underscoring the unprecedented nature of his role in the affair.
