The U.S. Men’s National Team player for whom President Donald Trump sought to overturn a red-card suspension is a birthright citizen — a status the president has long attempted to eliminate.
Star forward Folarin Balogun received a red card after stepping on another player’s ankle during the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension.
After the match, the Republican president called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the organization review the penalty, The New York Times reported. On Sunday, FIFA announced that the suspension had been lifted, clearing Balogun to play in Monday’s round of 16 match against Belgium.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon.
The reversal — which appeared to mark the first time a red card had not resulted in a suspension in a World Cup since 1962 — drew swift criticism elsewhere.
Star forward Folarin Balogun received a red card after stepping on another player’s ankle during the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension.
After the match, the Republican president called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the organization review the penalty, The New York Times reported. On Sunday, FIFA announced that the suspension had been lifted, clearing Balogun to play in Monday’s round of 16 match against Belgium.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon.
The reversal — which appeared to mark the first time a red card had not resulted in a suspension in a World Cup since 1962 — drew swift criticism elsewhere.
4 months ago
