AlBAWABA - FIFA recently sparked outrage and claims of corruption after overturning US Striker Florain Balogun's red card decision during his match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to several reports, US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to have the ban lifted, despite receiving an automatic one-match ban for stepping on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović. Although it was initially ruled a foul, an assistant referee used VAR and determined it warranted a red card.
Many deemed the decision extremely harsh, as social media flooded with posts calling for a re-review. According to The Guardian, FIFA lifted the ban by utilizing a rule that allows the organization to put punishments on hold, under Article 27 of its disciplinary code.
Balogun pulls out his Trump card: World Cup meme goes viral
Following the controversial decision, an AI-generated meme of Florian Balogun holding out a Trump card to oppose the referee's red card flooded social media, drawing mixed reactions. A social media user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "USA treating the FIFA World Cup like it’s elections."
Another added, "America cannot win without cheating..."
Trump also took to Truth Social, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President Donald J. Trump."
After disqualifying Bosnia-Herzegovina, the USA is set to play against Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 7 with Balogun as part of the team's lineup.
