White House pressed FIFA to reverse Team USA's Folarin Balogun red card suspension
The White House called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the red card issued to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who will now play against Belgium in Monday's Round of 16.
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The White House made a call to FIFA asking chief Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun's red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity. The person did not provide details about who specifically made the call or when.
Balogun, who leads the U.S. team with three goals, was shown a red card in Team USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in the Round of 32. A red card comes with an automatic one-match suspension. FIFA has now suspended his one-game ban, allowing him to play in the country's Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday.
Trump celebrated the reversal shortly after it was announced, posting on his social media network: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"
