Trump explains why he called FIFA to reverse US player’s red card ban

**Anthony Zurcher** (0:00)
Hello, it's Anthony, and you're about to hear AmeriCast, and we're delighted to have you with us. And if you enjoy what you hear, please do consider subscribing to the podcast. That way, you'll never miss an episode. Now, on with today.

**Justin Webb** (0:13)
You are about to hear Donald Trump live on AmeriCast, defending himself against suggestions that he has acted improperly in the World Cup. Donald Trump, of course, has acted behind the scenes to make sure that a red card that was given to an American player was, well, magically taken away from him. At least he's free to play in the next match, which is a very important match for the United States against Belgium. So lots of people around the world saying that is an outrage. Donald Trump himself reacting in this edition of AmeriCansers, in which we also go to the question of Donald Trump's extraordinary personal wealth. So without further ado, welcome to AmeriCansers.

**Donald Trump** (0:58)
Americast.

**James Carville** (0:59)
Americast from BBC News.

**Donald Trump** (1:01)
You hear that sound? Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money.

**SPEAKER_5** (1:06)
We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. This is a big cover up and this administration is engaged in it.

**SPEAKER_6** (1:13)
This guy has Trump's arrangement syndrome.

**Anthony Zurcher** (1:16)
I have four words for you.

**SPEAKER_5** (1:19)
Turn the volume up.

**Justin Webb** (1:25)
Hello, it's Justin in the worldwide headquarters of Americast in London, England.

**Anthony Zurcher** (1:29)
It's Anthony here at home in Arlington, Virginia.

**Justin Webb** (1:32)
We are not joined by Matt Chauley because we're not doing this live on Five Live as we normally do on a Monday because Five Live is more interested in the tennis than they are in us. I don't know where Matt is, possibly at the tennis because they have lots of celebs there. But anyway, Anthony, you and I are together and that's a good thing because there are loads of questions that we've got to answer.
We should begin with the World Cup just because it is so much in the news at the moment. These questions about Donald Trump's role in it and particularly his role in the reversal of a red card for a USA player. We've had tons of comments about it and questions about it. For instance, old B1 saying the card should have been rescinded if it's deemed to be a mistake post-match suspending it has just created a feeling of distrust how FIFA is running this World Cup and someone called Burns123, who are you kidding? FIFA rules football, Infantino, that's the FIFA boss, rules FIFA and Trump rules Infantino. I'm surprised more changes haven't been made to suit US tastes apart from just the hydration break and the halftime show. So Anthony, we should start, shouldn't we? What actually happened? What has Donald Trump done?

**Anthony Zurcher** (2:41)
Well, what happened, as you mentioned, there was a red card for Folarin Balogun, who is the United States' lead scorer. He's a striker. He's the guy that really has turned this team into a challenging, a talented squad, someone that we haven't had in past World Cups, a guy who can finish and score goals. He was set off on a video review in our last match against Bosnia Herzegovina for coming in, spikes high and landing on a Bosnian player's ankle. Because of that red card, he was supposed to be suspended for this match Monday night against Belgium. From reports, the White House got wind of this. They formed a group of people and then contacted Infantino.
Infantino said that they were going to review in a committee. Then lo and behold, yesterday, Sunday, the day before this match, they said that this red card had been suspended, that he didn't have to sit out the game. This is key pivotal match against Belgium. He's been given a warning and if he had another offense, then the red card would be reinstated and the suspension would be put back into effect. But obviously, Justin, this plays into all of the feelings and we heard that from some of the comments that are feelings that the United States is exerting undue political influence on these matches. The Belgian team has issued or expressed their astonishment at this reversal. The European Soccer Federation has said that this calls into question the fairness of the World Cup. But, you know, I mean, I don't know.
FIFA doesn't exactly have a certain reputation for upholding fairness.

**Justin Webb** (4:28)
That is a scandalous assertion, Anthony, but I want to double down on it in just a second. But before that, actually, as we speak, Donald Trump is also speaking about this. So let's just hear a bit of what he's saying.