US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on the referee who sent off American striker Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match, labelling the official as «very suspect» after the red card was controversially overturned. Trump revealed that he personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to demand a review of the decision, which had initially resulted in a one-match ban for the Monaco forward.
Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed he had told Infantino that the sending-off was «ridiculous» and that the referee had made a «terrible call». The president admitted that he had not previously understood the significance of a red card in football, confessing: «I didn't even know what a red card was until I spoke to Gianni.» Despite this, Trump insisted he knew enough about sport to recognise an unjust decision when he saw one.
The incident occurred during the USA's World Cup group-stage match, when Balogun was shown a straight red card for a challenge that many pundits and fans deemed harsh. The subsequent ban would have ruled the 23-year-old out of the crucial last-16 tie against Belgium, a prospect that clearly alarmed the US camp and, apparently, the White House.
Trump's intervention appears to have been decisive. Within hours of his conversation with Infantino, FIFA announced that Balogun's red card had been suspended pending a full review, and the striker was cleared to play against Belgium. The decision sparked a mixed reaction, with some praising Trump's willingness to defend an American player, while others accused him of wielding undue influence over the sport's governing body.
Former Scotland international Craig Burley, now a pundit in the United States, was among those who voiced strong criticism. Burley accused FIFA of bowing to political pressure, stating that Trump could «do whatever he wants» to influence the World Cup. «It's a dangerous precedent,» Burley said. «If the president of the United States can pick up the phone and get a red card overturned, what does that say about the integrity of the competition?»
The controversy has also drawn attention to Trump's broader comments about sports officiating. During the same press conference, the president veered off into a complaint about the treatment of basketball star Caitlin Clark, whom he claimed was being «roughed up» by opponents without sufficient protection from referees. This apparent digression further fuelled debate about Trump's understanding of modern sports rules and his willingness to involve himself in disciplinary matters.
Balogun, who joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023, has been a key figure for the US national team, scoring crucial goals during the World Cup qualifying campaign. His availability for the Belgium match was seen as vital to American hopes of progressing beyond the round of 16 for the first time in the modern era. The USA ultimately lost the match 2-1, but Balogun played the full 90 minutes without incident.
FIFA has not commented publicly on the specifics of Trump's call, but a spokesperson confirmed that the red card review was conducted «in accordance with standard procedures». However, the timing of the overturn — just hours after the president's intervention — has led to widespread scepticism. Critics argue that the incident undermines the credibility of FIFA's disciplinary process, while supporters maintain that the original decision was clearly erroneous and would have been overturned regardless.
Trump, for his part, appeared unapologetic. «I did what any American would do,» he said. «I stood up for our player. The referee was suspect, very suspect. And I told Gianni that. He agreed with me.» Whether this episode will have lasting implications for the relationship between the White House and FIFA remains to be seen, but it has certainly added a new layer of intrigue to an already dramatic World Cup campaign.
