Roy Keane is stunned by Donald Trump’s comments about his involvement as controversy continues over Folarin Balogun’s suspension being lifted
Roy Keane couldn’t believe what he was hearing (Image: The Overlap)
Manchester United legend Roy Keane couldn’t believe his ears when President Donald Trump described his infamous phone call with Gianni Infantino. The US commander-in-chief urged world soccer’s governing body to consider red carding US forward Folarin Balogun, who entered the World Cup in surprising fashion.
The Monaco striker was controversially dismissed for a stud-up challenge in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and was set to miss the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium with suspension. However, after President Trump spoke by phone with Infantino, FIFA suspended the one-year suspended suspension and allowed Balogun to play in Seattle.
This became one of the most controversial articles of the entire contest as a result of White House intervention. President Trump spoke candidly about the phone call that infuriated the Belgian national team and many other soccer officials.
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On the overlap, Gary Neville reads President Trump’s key words about the story during his bizarre press conference. Neville quoted President Trump as saying, “All I did was ask for review. I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’ (I) didn’t think it was a foul.”
Startled, Keene leaned forward and asked, “Is this real?” Neville confirms that they are indeed Trump’s real words, before bending over in shock and saying, “I can’t believe it.” Keene was not alone in being shocked and perplexed by this story.
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The Belgian Football Association was among the first to express anger at the decision, with England manager Thomas Tuchel and Norway manager Starre Solbakken slamming FIFA over the decision. Neville also spoke out on the situation, even suggesting that the US should choose not to deploy Balogun.
Speaking after President Trump’s press conference, Neville said of the situation: “I’ve never seen or heard anything like it in my life. FIFA, to be honest with you, they’ve got a serious problem. This isn’t going to go away.”
President Trump confirmed he had contacted FIFA to consider the red card (Image: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“This is Donald Trump, the president of the United States, the guardian of free speech, the ruler of the free world, and this is basically interference at the highest level.
“He admitted it and he contacted them and asked them to admit it. This is interference by the powers that be at the highest level in football and in the World Cup.”
Balogun was sent off during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (Image: Getty Images)
Infantino acknowledged the conversation but insisted he had no role in the decision being overturned. He said an independent disciplinary body would impose a one-year ban on Balogun and allow him to play against the Belgium national team.
There was some repercussions, with the former Arsenal forward receiving a red card and a fine of just under £30,000, but it would have been little relief for Belgium.
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