President Donald Trump reportedly pushed for FIFA to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play on Monday against Belgium.
FIFA stunned the soccer world with its announcement Sunday that Balogun’s one-match ban for his straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32 had been suspended and he would be allowed to play in the Round of 16.
Sunday afternoon, the New York Times reported that Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked for the World Cup governing body to review Balogun’s ban.
Trump and Infantino have a chummy relationship. The two have been especially friendly in public as the president is expected to play a role in the trophy ceremony at the World Cup final on July 19. In December, Infantino and FIFA awarded Trump the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” at the World Cup draw.
After FIFA announced that Balogun could play, Trump posted to social media and thanked FIFA for reversing what he said was an “injustice.”
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