Trump’s Call to FIFA Over Balogun’s Red Card Discussed on ‘The View’
On Monday, “The View” co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin spoke about President Donald Trump’s involvement regarding the red card suspension of U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun. She revealed that Trump had urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the situation ahead of the U.S. World Cup match against Belgium.
Griffin, who previously worked in communications for Trump but has since criticized him, noted that she believed this move was made to benefit the U.S. team. “If you’re going to intervene, it should be to support one of our best players,” she stated.
She further commented on the alleged unfairness of the suspension, suggesting it might have warranted only a lesser penalty, maybe a yellow card instead. This was her way of addressing the red card’s severity.
Contrasting Opinions on Trump’s Actions
However, co-host Sunny Hostin voiced her disapproval, labeling Trump’s actions as “corruption.” She claimed Trump had pressured FIFA to allow Balogun to play despite the initial ruling. “He shouldn’t be on the field, but Trump made that call,” Hostin asserted, adding that FIFA seemingly agreed to bend the rules.
Hostin, fresh from a trip to Spain, shared that Europeans she met expressed disbelief over U.S. corruption, specifically citing Trump’s administration. She remarked, “They can’t believe America is in this situation.” Her comments highlighted a growing concern about the perceived integrity of American governance.
The White House has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this incident.
FIFA’s Response and Further Discussions
Griffin also emphasized that Balogun’s eligibility stems from being a U.S. citizen by birth, which she found noteworthy. Other panelists on the show remarked on the broader implications of Trump’s methods, indicating that his tendency to manipulate rules was reflective of his overall approach.
During a briefing, President Trump confirmed his communication with Infantino about Balogun’s red card, asserting that he believed the call was unjust. “It wasn’t a foul,” he insisted, describing the situation as very unfair.
FIFA’s Infantino acknowledged receiving Trump’s call and reiterated the independence of FIFA’s judicial processes, stating that decisions are made based on strict guidelines and facts at hand. He reinforced that the integrity of football must always be preserved.
