FIFA's Balogun saga is a cautionary tale for Trump
DIRECT ANSWER: FIFA reversed U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension after President Donald Trump asked FIFA chief Gianni Infantino for a review, letting him play in Monday's World Cup soccer Round of 16 match. Belgium won 4-1 in Seattle anyway, and critics say the episode shows what happens when institutions—and presidents—lose the benefit of the doubt.
Key Takeaways
- FIFA suspended Balogun's ban after Trump's call; UEFA and Belgium condemned the move as unprecedented.
- The U.S. lost 4-1 in Seattle; Christian Pulisic was subbed out in the 59th minute with a lower-body injury.
- The White House dismissed birthright-citizenship irony as an "asinine observation."
- The Atlantic ties the scandal to Trump's crypto gains—a warning for fintech and crypto governance watchers.
Why did FIFA reverse Balogun's red-card ban?
Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering a one-game suspension. Trump called Infantino for a review, and FIFA gave him one year's probation without missing the Belgium match, citing Article 27. UEFA warned that "the integrity of the game is at stake," and Belgium contested his eligibility.
How did the U.S. perform against Belgium?
The U.S. was eliminated with a 4-1 loss in Seattle, per Yahoo Sports. Pulisic exited in the 59th minute after colliding with Belgium captain Youri Tielemans, replaced by Sebastian Berhalter while trailing 3-1.
What did the White House say about birthright citizenship?
Balogun qualifies through birthright citizenship—born in New York after his mother could not board a flight to London. Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai told The Hill the irony critique was "kind of an asinine observation," saying birthright citizenship was meant for children of freed slaves, not "birth tourists."
Why is FIFA a cautionary tale for Trump?
David A. Graham writes in The Atlantic that FIFA's corruption history means no one will believe its ruling was disinterested. He links that to Trump's DOJ credibility and reported $1.4 billion in crypto gains, which Chris Christie called "Putin-esque type of corruption." Unlike FIFA, a government cannot sustain trust when voters assume the worst about every deal.