Trump Gets Soccer Star's Red Card Reversed

[RandySF]

“President Trump called Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, on Wednesday and asked him to review the suspension of the United States’ top goal scorer, Folarin Balogun, after he was given a red card in the team’s match that night against Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to three people familiar with the conversation,” the New York Times reports.

“On Sunday, FIFA announced that Mr. Balogun would be eligible to play Monday against Belgium after his red card ban was suspended.”

“The reversal is highly unusual and the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game when they would have been suspended.”


https://politicalwire.com/2026/07/05/trump-gets-soccer-stars-red-card-reversed/

[Blues Heron]

1. The fix is in

[RandySF]

2. I'm nauseous about it.

Trump ruined a game I’ve been looking forward to.

[sop]

5. If the USMNT beats Belgium now, the win will forever be tainted in the eyes of the world by Trump's actions.

[sop]

3. ESPN: 'Belgium furious at Balogun ban being suspended: It's April Fools'

SEATTLE -- Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was a joke when he first heard news that suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16 match here Monday, while the Belgian federation announced it was "investigating all potential options" in opposition of FIFA's stunning decision.

"I didn't know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first of April -- it's April Fools," Garcia said at a press conference Sunday afternoon.

He added that the federation's lengthy statement, which highlighted the unprecedented nature of FIFA's decision as well as how it runs counter to the guidelines FIFA had put out before the tournament regarding automatic suspensions for any player receiving a red card, was not only about protecting the Belgian team.

"We're not defending the national team or federation," Garcia said. "We are defending football."

More at link:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49279471/belgium-usa-folarin-balogun-ban-suspended-fifa-world-cup-2026

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. The trump card was played

Link to tweet

[Deuxcents]

6. What is wrong with TSF? Doesn't he have real issues to work on?

Why is the rule being overturned at his whim? Why can’t people just say NO?