US President Donald Trump controversially lobbied FIFA to reverse a ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun. Despite causing an uproar and Balogun playing in the game, it did little to help the US on the f
If Balogun had done the right thing and stayed on the bench, he would have embarrassed Trump and exposed not only himself but also his coach—and possibly the entire team—to the president’s wrath. THAT is the United States’ primary problem right now. THAT, and the fact that you can’t get it in from 135 meters.
This should never have happened, Trump had ZERO business or right to get involved, but once again, he stuck his nose where it doesn’t belong and the results were as expected.
Time and again, whether the red card was justified or not is irrelevant. The fact is, the referee gave a red card, and that automatically means a ban. That fans can’t see this—and instead celebrate political interference—proves that the spirit of football doesn’t align with American sports culture. Winning at all costs, even if it means cheating, is not sportsmanship. Apart from being overconfident and cocky before the match: come back next time, but work on that attitude and be humble
FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's red card from a previous game, which should have resulted in him missing the match against Belgium, has been widely criticized. Former Liverpool and Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp called it "madness."
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