Folarin Balogun Apologizes After Donald Trump Push Helps Him Play in U.S. World Cup Loss
Balogun said the team let fans down after the U.S. lost 4-1 to Belgium and his red card was overturned.
- Following a 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the United States' World Cup run, Folarin Balogun apologized to fans on Wednesday, stating, "It hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level."
- Controversy preceded the match, as President Trump admitted to lobbying FIFA to overturn a red card against Balogun in a previous match against Bosnia.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Soccer World Peace Prize after Trump was denied a Nobel Prize, raising questions about competitive advantage.
- Critics argued the team should have benched Balogun or publicly thanked Trump, noting the squad shifted to a narrative about winning at all costs.
- Despite the exit, Balogun expressed optimism for America's soccer future, adding, "Soccer in America will only become bigger; the belief, the talent, and the passion are continually growing.
20 Articles
20 Articles
A smooth start, almost stunted; then a slow but continuous improvement of the game until 4-1 inflicted to the hosts of the U.S. in the middle of the scandal for the 'rehabilitation' of Folarin Balogun, after the phone call of Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino. (ANSA)
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Trump Ex-Official Claims President Has ‘Corrupted International Sport For A Generation’ With His FIFA Meddling In Bold Remarks
Aaron Schwartz - Pool via CNP / MEGA Donald Trump has admitted to calling FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, asking him to “review” a controversial red card shown to USMNT star Folarin Balogun. One of his former officials now claims that whatever transpired between the US president and Infantino was more on the “intimidation” side, accusing the politician of showing such patterns in the past when he wanted to get his way on issues. FIFA’s unprecedented…
Balogun controversy leaves FIFA facing questions after US World Cup exit
Folarin Balogun’s presence against Belgium did not change the United States’ World Cup fate. It did, however, leave FIFA facing a wider question that now stretches beyond one player, one red card and one beaten team. The U.S. exited after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, but the build-up and aftermath were dominated by the decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban from his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forward started against …
Folarin Balogun Apologizes After Donald Trump Push Helps Him Play in U.S. World Cup Loss
Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Folarin Balogun apologised to US fans after his team lost in the World Cup. The apology came after Donald Trump admitted to lobbying to overturn his red card in one FIFA match. Folarin Balogun apologized to U.S. fans after the World Cup loss My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough …
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