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President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to review American forward Folarin Baloga’s one-game suspension at the World Cup.
Trump said the world football governing body “made the right decision” to ban Balogan, adding that if the tournament had been implemented, it would have left a big stain on the tournament.
Baloghi, his country’s top scorer, was set to be suspended for Tuesday’s game against Belgium in Seattle.
But on Monday night, FIFA lifted the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, clearing the way for the 25-year-old forward to be selected.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump called on FIFA to review the decision because he “didn’t think it was wrong.”
Trump confirmed that he had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, but said he had asked for a review of everything he had done and had not told Switzerland to suspend Balogan.
“I thought it was two great athletes going head-to-head,” Trump said.
“I think (the ban) would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision. I believe the commission made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
