Trump Admits Intervening to Overturn US Soccer Player's World Cup Suspension

US President Donald Trump confirmed that he personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn the suspension of US national team star Paularin Balogon during the World Cup. The suspension followed a serious foul in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump defended his intervention, stating that the foul was not legitimate and that the referee's decision was questionable due to his past. "I saw the play, I understand sports well, and it was not a foul," Trump told reporters on Monday. He added that removing the team's best player for the next game was unfair and that he requested a review from FIFA, which led to the suspension being lifted. Trump also dismissed any involvement by then-Vice President Joe Biden, saying, "It was not Biden, Biden was asleep." This marks the first time since 1962 that FIFA has reversed an automatic suspension for a red card in an official match. The decision sparked significant criticism from other national teams, accusing the US government of improper political interference in the tournament's outcomes. When asked about Belgium's appeal against the decision ahead of their Round of 16 match against the US, Trump said he was confident Belgium also wanted to win with their best players on the field.