Infantino Responds to Controversy Over Call with Trump and Balogun's Red Card Reversal
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
NEW YORK – FIFA President Gianni Infantino admitted on Monday to receiving a call from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the sanction of Folarin Balogun, the U.S. national team forward who was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina but later pardoned and allowed to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium. "Yes, I regularly discuss World Cup-related matters with the U.S. president, and yes, I received a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders, and business executives from around the world on many issues," Infantino stated in a release, adding that the decision was "independent" from FIFA's Disciplinary Committee. Folarin Balogun, the top scorer for the U.S. team in the World Cup with three goals, was sent off in the round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR intervention for committing a violent foul by striking a Bosnian player's leg with his studs. "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial committees and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. This is how the FIFA system works, and it is a principle I will always defend," Infantino argued regarding Trump's call.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
