Donald Trump Confirmed To Have Called Gianni Infantino On Balogun Ban

President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week to request a review of Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension, sources confirmed to The Athletic, a request that preceded FIFA's decision to suspend the United States striker's ban. Balogun was sent off for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemovic during the Americans' 2-0 round of 32 win. FIFA's independent disciplinary committee later ruled to suspend his ban, clearing him for Monday's round of 16 meeting with Belgium. Trump praised the move on Truth Social, thanking FIFA for reversing what he called a "great injustice." Reports from the Associated Press and The New York Times first detailed his conversation with Infantino, which a source confirmed took place. U.S. Soccer also enlisted outside legal counsel, working alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin, according to journalist Clay Travis. Goodwin disputed the extent of outside involvement in a social media post. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished" by FIFA's ruling and has since exercised its right to appeal. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia voiced sharp criticism of the decision during his pre-match availability. "I didn't know that July 5 was equal to April 1 (April Fools' Day) at FIFA," said Garcia. "I think we should refer to the (statement) of my federation, the Belgian federation. "The federation does not defend itself, it does not defend the national team, it defends football in general." Norway coach Stale Solbakken, whose team eliminated Brazil earlier Sunday, also condemned the ruling. "He got a red card. The VAR concluded it was a red, and he was sent off," said Solbakken. "It's a bad, bad, bad, bad decision." FIFA has not publicly detailed the disciplinary committee's reasoning behind the suspension.