Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week and asked that he review U.S. Men’s National Team star Folarin Balogun’s suspension after the player received a red card in that day’s World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to a source familiar with the phone conversation.
In a striking reversal, FIFA announced yesterday that Balogun would be eligible to play today against Belgium and that he will now enter a probationary period for one year.
The president and Infantino have grown extremely close, fostering a tight-knit relationship over the last few years, and the head of the governing body notably awarded Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize just last year in Washington D.C.
Trump, the White House and its allies have posted various messages on social media celebrating FIFA’s decision today, including one that said: “No man left behind. LET’S GO @USMNT!”
