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Did Donald Trump Just Save the World Cup?
U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun received a highly questionable red card in last Wednesday’s Round of 32 World Cup match, prompting his immediate ejection and suspension from tonight’s bout against Belgium. The ruling put Team USA at a severe disadvantage, as Balogun is the club’s top striker. Then Donald Trump intervened.
White House and U.S. Soccer attorneys reportedly began pushing FIFA to revoke the suspension within hours of its issuance, going so far as to threaten legal action if the international association did not comply. The lawyers specifically floated the prospect of bringing FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which arbitrates sports cases involving doping, match fixing, corruption, on-field violence, and more, a source told the New York Post. Trump contributed to the lobbying effort by calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino. FIFA lifted Balogun’s ban on Sunday.
The president celebrated the ruling on Truth Social. The Royal Belgian Football Association did not. Balogun, who ironically is a birthright citizen, has scored a goal in each of his matches in the tournament.