Leonardo

UCLA. Literature. “I am who I am and that's who I am" -Gogol

[Cyrus Janssen @thecyrusjanssen]

It's a shame Trump didn't have enough faith in Team USA to believe they could win without Balogun. Trump had to break FIFA rules and use his influence as POTUS to try and give the United States a competitive edge. If you don't believe me, ask yourself. What if the shoes were reversed and the Belgian President did this? Would you be ok with it? Absolutely not, all hell would have broken loose across America in protest.

A President who is a TRUE leader would have called the USMNT team and given them encouragement. He would have told them, if one player is out, then the next man steps up. No Excuses! Every single one of you is a world class player and the entire nation is behind you! Now go win this game! This is what a true American leader would have done for his country, but who are we kidding?

We are talking about Trump, the man who insider trades more than all other Presidents combined in US history. The President who personally launched a scam crypto currency to rip off his loyal followers and make billions.

Trump has no integrity and of course he would try and use his position to influence the outcome. It's what he has done in every other situation in life. Including when he tried to steal the 2020 election.

Trump's actions set a dangerous precedent in sports and the 2026 USMNT is tainted. It's now a lose lose situation for today's game. Win and the entire world will not believe it is an honest result. Lose and this controversy will be talked about in future World Cups.

Terrible and unfair situation for Team USA. Feel sorry for the players who had their World Cup ruined by the actions of a narcissist President

[George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway3d]

This is ridiculous. Balogun shouldn't have been sent off.

But the idea that the White House is devoting more effort to strong-arming FIFA than it has to reducing housing and healthcare costs is revolting.

And the fact that by intervening, Trump may end up tarnishing the team he is purporting to help (not to mention our nation and international sport) only illustrates his narcissism, arrogance, and imbecility.

But here we are.

[NBC 7 San Diego @nbcsandiego]

Belgium is preparing to challenge the Folarin Balogun ruling before a FIFA-appointed appeals judge.

https://t.co/Mwz9CYwjbT

[Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @NotHoodlum]

Trump is only proficient at one thing: making the world despise us.
https://t.co/cB6EgSskcY

[Leonardo @Lbruin1]

@jared_shult @ifight4justice7 Sad

[Leonardo @Lbruin1]

@jared_shult Above all, the rule of law and integrity! As an American I’m rooting for Belgium! 🇧🇪

[Leonardo @Lbruin1]

@krassenstein

[Brian Krassenstein @krassenstein]

While many of you are likely yelling "GO AMERICA" I'm yelling "GO BELGIUM and the rule of law!"

[Financial Times @FT]

Fifa ‘crossed a red line’ by reversing US star striker’s suspension, Uefa says https://t.co/ytwEHv7YyC

[Diario AS @diarioas]

🚨 #ÚLTIMAHORA 🚨

La federación emite un comunicado explicando el proceder de la FIFA en el caso Balogun y notificando que impugna el encuentro antes de jugarlo.

[The Wall Street Journal @WSJ]

President Trump confirmed he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension. On Monday, the Royal Belgium Football Association assailed how FIFA was handling the matter. https://t.co/nB6mQs3qKp

[Fox News @FoxNews]

BREAKING: President Trump reveals the details of his conversation with FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the controversial red card call on star American player Folarin Balogun.

"All I did was ask for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. And, you know, again, I'm good at this stuff. I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled."

"I think they made a really brilliant decision. I think the referee's call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it's fine, nobody talks the referee's decision to red card."

[David Faitelson @DavidFaitelson_]

Cuando pensamos que lo habíamos visto todo…

[TSN @TSN_Sports]

UEFA has released a statement expressing disbelief at FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card ban in the Round of 16, saying that it "crossed a red line." #FIFAWorldCup

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Trump confirms he asked Fifa to review Balogun ban https://t.co/lqXCUyZa97

[Reuters @Reuters]

🔊 ‘FIFA really takes a tough stance on government interference … so this is not a very good look for US soccer.’ Listen to @RohithNair on the Reuters World News podcast https://t.co/zoiRBfj5j2

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: President Trump picked up the phone to call FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension. Here's a look inside FIFA's decision and the World Cup controversy it sparked. https://t.co/oWMVV7qTv0

[CBS News @CBSNews]

President Trump confirms he asked FIFA to review the red card suspension of U.S. men's national team striker Folarin Balogun, calling the decision "very unfair."

"It wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction," Trump says. “It’s one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn't been played yet? It's very unfair. You can't do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.”

[José Ramón Fernández @joserra_espn]

UEFA ESTALLA CONTRA FIFA

UEFA acusa que “cruzó una línea roja” al habilitar a Folarin Balogun y advierte que “La integridad del juego está en riesgo”. “La credibilidad del torneo queda socavada, una decisión sin precedentes, incomprensible injustificable”.

[Polymarket Sports @PolymarketSport]

🚨JUST IN: Sepp Blatter spoke out against FIFA’s red card decision for the USA

“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.”