Balogun affair: Klopp is furious about Trump and Infantino

The World football association FIFA had the red card of the US striker Folarin Balogun lifted. The 25-year-old was shown a red card in the round of 16 against Bosnia-Herzegovina after he accidentally landed on the ankle of his opponent Tarik Muharemovic. According to consistent media reports, Trump is said to have called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and put pressure on him to review the ban. Balogun is now eligible to play in the World Cup round of 16 against Belgium in Seattle (Tuesday 2:00 a.m.).

Klopp: “These two people have no idea about football”

“If Trump and Infantino really did this together, that’s crazy. That calls everything into question,” Klopp continued and said: “These two people, both of whom have no idea about football, should have nothing to do with it.”

Klopp, who is currently negotiating with the DFB about becoming the new national coach, cannot understand the lifting of the ban in terms of content. “There are no two opinions. That’s a red card. We’re sorry because Balogun doesn’t want that. Those are the rules,” said Klopp.

The 59-year-old recalled that the decision would be difficult even if the red card was classified as wrong: “Our game, we all suffer from bad decisions. Nevertheless, we learn to live with it as we go through life. It’s simply a factual decision.”

Thomas Tuchel was outraged

Also the English team boss Thomas Tuchel reacted with great surprise to the current developments. “Who will overturn this decision then – and when? And on what basis? How far does it go now? It’s just strange to me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions,” warned the coach.

Tuchel also said after the Three Lions’ 3-2 win in the World Cup round of 16 against Mexico: “Are we now appealing if a yellow card is not a yellow card?” One could now debate endlessly. “Where does it begin and where does it end?” said Tuchel. When asked by a journalist afterwards whether US President Donald Trump should perhaps be asked, Tuchel said: “Maybe. That’s a good starting point.”