The latest controversy surrounding U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun began when he was shown a red card during the United States’ recent match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to sources cited by The New York Times, former President Donald Trump placed a call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss the sanction, a conversation first reported by the newspaper and later confirmed by The Guardian and The Associated Press.
A Call That Made Headlines
Infantino, who has cultivated a rapport with Trump since awarding him a newly created FIFA Peace Prize in 2025, has been eager to maintain a constructive dialogue with the former administration.
Following the call, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced a one‑year probationary suspension of the red card, effectively clearing Balogun to feature in the United States’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Belgium.
Trump subsequently praised the decision on his Truth Social platform, framing the ruling as a victory for fairness and expressing confidence that the player would contribute positively to the tournament.
When approached for comment, FIFA declined to respond, leaving the details of the internal review undisclosed.