Trump on USA-Belgium: "If they beat us, they can be really proud. The other way, if they beat us, we'll say -- I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020, but I won't get into that."
Reporter: Can you describe your phone call with Gianni Infantino about the red card? Belgium is appealing the decision.
Trump: Youâre asking me about the whole soccer thing. So, yeah, I did. I spoke to Gianni.
That wasnât a foul. That wasnât even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other. You canât properly place your foot on somebody elseâs foot when youâre going full speed. No, these were two great athletes who got tangled up.
And this referee, who is a little bit suspectâif you check his past. I donât want to say that because I donât like to create controversy, but very suspect. If youâd like, Iâll provide you with his past.
He didnât do anything wrong, and heâs our best player, or one of our best playersâa very vital playerâand they gave him a red card.
I didnât know what that meant. I didnât think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you canât play in the next game, at least in the next game.
I said, âBoy, thatâs a bigââ You know, if it happened to another player, it would have been unfair, but when they take your best playerâor just about; they have some great playersâand say you canât play, thatâs very unfair.
Thatâs one thing, to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize them for a game that hasnât been played yet? Itâs very unfair. You canât do that.
So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who is highly respected, and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold.