US President Donald Trump speaks at the launch of Trump investment accounts in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
Washington, United States: President Donald Trump confirmed Monday he asked FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to review the "horrible" decision to hand a red card to star US striker Folarin Balogun, but said he did not request it be overturned.
"I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump told reporters at the White House. "All I did was ask for a review, I didn't say you have to do this."
"That wasn't even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other," Trump said.
The Republican president -- who said "I understand sports really well" -- acknowledged that he was initially unaware that the red card meant Balogun was barred from the next game, saying the rule is "very unfair."
Trump took aim at Raphael Claus, the Brazilian referee who made the call, describing him as "a little bit suspect if you check his past."
Balogun had been set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on the ankle of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0.
Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player's team.
