German manager Jürgen Klopp has sharply criticized reports that U.S. President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.
Klopp stated in an interview with MagentaTV: "If this actually happened, it's madness. Let me say one thing: this is our game, not theirs. These two individuals, who have no knowledge of football, should have no role in such decisions."
The German coach added that he believed the referee's decision was correct, saying: "It was a red card, and there are no two opinions on that. We feel sorry for Balogun because he didn't intend what happened, but these are the rules."
Klopp's comments come amid rising international controversy over FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's automatic ban, following reports that President Trump reached out to Gianni Infantino to request a review of the punishment, which has drawn widespread criticism from the Belgian Football Association, UEFA, and several prominent figures in the sport.
