“This is our game!” Jurgen Klopp speaks out against Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino over the Balogun red card appeal.
Jurgen Klopp has joined many in criticizing the choice to cancel Folarin Balogun’s red card, directing strong words at Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump.
After it was announced that Balogun played for the USA in their Round of 16 match against Belgium—despite his red card ban being “suspended”—Donald Trump took credit, calling it a personal win. The delay in enforcing the suspension was a first in World Cup history. The White House brought in lawyers who found a little-known rule allowing FIFA to let Balogun play.
“I’m the one who made this happen,” Trump said during a White House speech.
“I saw the play, and as a sports fan, I knew it wasn’t a foul. The referee’s call was surprising and unfair. Balogun is one of our best players, and taking him out just doesn’t make sense.
When I learned what a red card meant, I was shocked. Imagine if Messi, Ronaldo, or Harry Kane were taken out like that! We want our top players on the field, and whether we win or lose, it should be fair.”
This sparked anger among many World Cup teams, with Wayne Rooney publicly criticizing FIFA and sharing his own tough experience of being suspended during a crucial tournament. Now, people are demanding that FIFA President Gianni Infantino step down, even though he denies any bias toward the USA. Klopp is the latest to speak out against the decision.
As tensions rise over Infantino’s role in football, Klopp told The Telegraph that this situation is “madness” and has no place in the sport.
“This is our game, not theirs,” he said.
“If Trump and Infantino solved this between themselves, it’s a problem and makes us question everything.”
Klopp’s words add to others speaking against the ruling. Former English FA chairman David Bernstein said it undermines one of football’s key strengths—the fair and consistent application of rules worldwide. Even Sepp Blatter weighed in, saying, “Red cards should be overturned based on rules and evidence, not political calls. If a US President calls FIFA’s President and suddenly a player is cleared before a big match, it raises serious questions. Football must never be a tool for political power.”
Balogun went on to start the game against Belgium for Mauricio Pochettino’s team, hoping to keep up his strong goal-scoring streak alongside teammates Christian Pulisic and Serginio Dest.