Trump Reveals FIFA Call Over Balogun Red Card as He Questions England's 2-1 Semi-Final Tactics
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Trump Reveals FIFA Call Over Balogun Red Card as He Questions England's 2-1 Semi-Final Tactics
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Summary
Trump said he contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Folarin Balogun's red card, then praised the decision to suspend the USA striker's automatic one-match ban for 12 months.
Balogun, 25, had been due to miss the last-16 match against Belgium after a straight red against Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic, a reversal that drew widespread criticism over possible political interference.
At the same Trump Tower event, Trump joined criticism of England's 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, saying Harry Kane was wrongly turned into a defensive player after England took the lead.
Thomas Tuchel brushed off the remarks, but the comments add to scrutiny of England's late tactical shift and of FIFA's closeness to Trump during a World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Infantino hailed the tournament as a record success, with FIFA projected to generate $9 billion in 2026 revenue despite controversies over costs, visas and the Balogun case.