Trump Called FIFA Three Times Over Balogun’s Red Card. It Worked.

Folarin Balogun is playing Monday against Belgium. That was not the plan three days ago. And according to a report from The Guardian, it took three phone calls from the President of the United States to make it happen.

President Donald Trump reportedly reached out to FIFA president Gianni Infantino three times starting Wednesday, pressing the governing body to overturn Balogun’s one-match suspension. The red card came during the USMNT’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Balogun was sent off for incidental contact with Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle. The media and fans had already panned the call. Turns out the leader of the free world had thoughts too.

FIFA pushed the suspension back Sunday afternoon, meaning Balogun is eligible for Monday’s Round of 16 matchup against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. That’s a huge swing for the Americans. Balogun leads the squad with three goals this tournament, and with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line, having him on the pitch is not nothing.

The White House got involved

NBC News White House correspondent Monica Alba reported that a U.S. official confirmed Trump reached out to Infantino to better understand the red card ruling. The same official said the U.S. government also provided additional evidence that was used during the appeal process. That part is already drawing backlash from people who do not love the idea of the executive branch picking up the phone for a World Cup suspension appeal.

Look, plenty of people agree Balogun did not deserve to sit for that play. The contact was incidental. FIFA has also shown it is willing to bend its own rules — it suspended a three-match ban for Cristiano Ronaldo during World Cup qualifying, so this move has a precedent. But the optics are not great. FIFA already operates in a fog of suspicion. Now there is a direct line to the White House in the picture.

Balogun and the USMNT do not have time to enjoy this. Belgium is coming, and both teams are preparing for a hard-fought battle in Seattle. The broadcast might not mention the President at all. Or it might lead with it. Either way, the story is not going anywhere.