‘Yes, I Asked FIFA’: Donald Trump Confirms He Sought Review Of Folarin Balogun’s Red Card

Last Updated:July 06, 2026, 20:20 IST

Trump reiterated his support for Balogun, saying the challenge did not amount to a foul and that the red card was unwarranted.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said the decision to show a red card to US men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun was wrong and confirmed that he had asked FIFA to review the incident.

Trump reiterated his support for Balogun, saying the challenge did not amount to a foul and that the red card was unwarranted. He, however, clarified that while he sought a review of the decision, he did not ask FIFA to overturn it.

“I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump told reporters at the White House. “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say you have to do this."

“I’ve never seen anything like it. I saw the play… that wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other… So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA," he added.

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the Club World Cup, had been set to miss the quarter-final in Seattle after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender during the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension.

Balogun, who is of Nigerian descent, plays for AS Monaco and is a product of Arsenal’s academy. He was sent off after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the Round of 32 clash.

About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has c...Read More

News world ‘Yes, I Asked FIFA’: Donald Trump Confirms He Sought Review Of Folarin Balogun’s Red Card

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