President Donald Trump's decision to personally appeal to FIFA over a controversial red card issued to U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun has sparked a heated debate on the set of «The View,» with co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin breaking with her usual criticism of the president to support the intervention. Griffin, who served as a communications aide in the Trump White House and has since become a frequent critic, said she approved of the alleged favor because it could help the U.S. national team in its World Cup campaign.
«The one Trump corruption I agree with is the red card if we are going to get into FIFA,» Griffin said during Monday's episode. «If you're going to call in a favor, do it so that you can get one of the greatest players back on. It should have been a yellow card, suspend him for a bit.» Balogun, a key forward for the U.S. team, was shown a red card during a previous match, which would normally result in a suspension for the following game. Trump confirmed during a White House event on Monday that he had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the decision.
«So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA,» Trump said. He argued that the red card was unwarranted, stating, «It was very unfair. It wasn't a foul.» The intervention led to FIFA clearing Balogun to play against Belgium, a decision that has drawn both praise and criticism from various quarters. However, co-host Sunny Hostin accused Trump of corruption, claiming he had personally pushed FIFA to let Balogun play despite the red card. «Which means you're supposed to be suspended for the next game and Trump made a call to FIFA and said can he still play and FIFA said, 'Sure, we're going to abandon all of our rules for a World Cup and let them play,'» Hostin said.
Hostin, who said she had just returned from a vacation to Spain, claimed that Europeans had been raising concerns about corruption in the United States. «Europeans – because I was in Spain at the time – Europeans are saying things like I can't believe America is so corrupt,» Hostin said. «I'm like have you met the Trump administration? Have you met where we are right now?» The exchange highlighted the deep partisan divide over Trump's actions, with some viewing the call as a legitimate use of presidential influence to support the national team, while others see it as an abuse of power.
Griffin also noted that Balogun's eligibility to play for the U.S. national team came through birthright citizenship, a policy that has been a subject of political debate. «And that player, by the way, is eligible to be playing on the U.S. team because of birthright citizenship,» Griffin said. «Which is incredible and it's great.» Hostin agreed with that point, saying, «Correct.» Comedian Michelle Buteau, who joined the panel as a guest co-host, said she was not surprised by the controversy, arguing that it reflected Trump's broader approach to rules. «We can't be surprised that he's like, trying to break the rules, because the way you do one thing is the way you do everything and that's what he does, he breaks the rules,» Buteau said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement addressing the situation, emphasizing the independence of FIFA's judicial bodies. «FIFA's judicial bodies are independent,» Infantino said. «They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.» Infantino acknowledged receiving the call from Trump but stressed that the decision would be made by the appropriate independent bodies. «Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues,» he added. «During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.»
The controversy comes at a time when the U.S. is hosting World Cup matches, including the game against Belgium in Seattle. The city has faced its own challenges, with protests erupting over the treatment of the Chinatown International District, which some residents and business owners have described as a «human dumping ground» for homeless and drug addicts. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has remained silent amid these protests, which have taken place ahead of the U.S. match. Business owners in the area have reported a significant decline in foot traffic despite being less than a mile from Lumen Field, where the match was held. The situation has added another layer of complexity to the World Cup experience in the U.S., as local issues intersect with international sporting events.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the FIFA intervention but did not immediately receive a response. The debate on «The View» reflects the broader national conversation about the role of presidential influence in sports and governance, with opinions sharply divided along political lines. As the U.S. team prepares for its next match, the focus remains on Balogun's availability and the implications of Trump's intervention for the integrity of the game.
