Folarin Balogun, 25, is allowed to play against Belgium – despite his red card.
Now Donald Trump confirms that he played a role in the decision.
– I asked Fifa for a reassessment, Trump says at a press conference.
Just minutes after the USA-Bosnia-Herzegovina match, in which star USA striker Folarin Balogun was red-carded, an American campaign was launched to have Balogun’s upcoming suspension overturned, reports Politico.
According to sources to the site, a lobbying effort must have begun during the night of Thursday, Swedish time, which included pressure on Fifa from high-ranking American officials – and the president Donald Trump himself.
Trump now confirms that.
– I spoke to Gianni (Infantino, Fifa president, editor’s note) and asked Fifa for a reassessment. It’s one of our best players. It is very unfair, says Trump at a press conference.
The American president continues to cast doubt on Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who handed out the red card.
– This judge… He is a bit suspicious, if you look at his history. I don’t want to say it because I don’t like to create controversy but he is suspicious.
According to Trump, Claus’s decision was completely wrong.
– There was no one foulthere were two players who ran together. I understand sports very, very well and was a good athlete myself.
The text is updated!
