Trump Directly Called FIFA to Overturn US Soccer Player's Red Card Suspension

What was said

"President Trump commerce secretary Lutnik and White House task force head Andrew Giuliani put together a team of elite lawyers from outside the government to challenge the Balagan red card. Specifically, they challenged the use of slow motion instant replay to give the red card, which they argued violated FIFA rules. The president also conveyed to Giani Infentino that the appeal had been filed and he believed the red card penalty was excessive."

President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA to overturn U.S. striker Valerin Balagan's red card suspension ahead of the World Cup match against Belgium. The White House assembled elite lawyers to challenge the call, arguing that FIFA's use of slow-motion replay violated its own rules. FIFA's independent committee reversed the suspension under rule 27 authority, allowing Balagan to play, though Belgium and UEFA protested the decision as crossing a red line for tournament integrity.