Trump Defends Balogun Red Card Review Call to FIFA's Infantino

President Donald Trump on Monday defended making a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which led to the soccer association overturning a one-game World Cup suspension of U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun.

"I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said, referring to referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issuing Balogun a red card in the team's victory last week over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The card ejected Balogun from that match and barred the 25-year-old from Monday night's knockout game against Belgium in Seattle. FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play.

"I didn't tell him what to do. I can't tell him what to do," Trump said of his call to Infantino. "And I don't believe he made the decision."

The president said that if Balogun's suspension had stood for the Belgium match, "This game would have a big mark on it, if we lost or if we won."

"If they beat us, then they could be really proud," Trump said of the Belgian squad.

Balogun, who scored in the group stage win over Bosnia, had been sent off after a high challenge in the 78th minute. FIFA's disciplinary committee initially upheld a one-match ban after a review. Trump's intervention came Sunday evening, sources familiar with the call said. Infantino's office confirmed the conversation but declined to detail its content.

The reversal drew criticism from some soccer officials abroad. The Belgian Football Federation said in a statement it was "disappointed that political pressure influenced an independent football decision." U.S. Soccer declined to comment on the call.

Trump made no apology for his action. "I'm the president," he said. "I look after American players."

The match Monday in Seattle kicked off at 7 p.m. local time.