00:00An unprecedented intervention is shaking things up behind the scenes of the FIFA World Cup.
00:04The President of the United States, Donald Trump, publicly admitted
00:08to have filed a lawsuit with FIFA to overturn a red card.
00:12And there was even criticism directed at the Brazilian referees.
00:15Let's understand all this controversy that went beyond the playing field.
00:19And it turned into a diplomatic crisis in sports.
00:22Before I tell you this story,
00:25Access the Lance website using the link to the article in this video's description.
00:29Learn all about this story that I'm about to tell you.
00:34American striker Balogun made a hard tackle and received a straight red card.
00:40It all began with the United States' victory over Bosnia.
00:44The referee for the match was the Brazilian Rafael Claus.
00:47With the decision to issue a warning to the American athlete,
00:51The player would be ineligible to play in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
00:56where the Americans will face Belgium.
00:59Well, at least it would be, right?
01:01If it weren't for politics interfering in the field.
01:05But what no one expected was that the case would reach the most powerful man in the country.
01:11In a press conference in the Oval Office, reporters asked him questions, and Donald Trump did not hesitate.
01:16On the contrary, he admitted it in no uncertain terms.
01:20Open quotation marks.
01:21I requested a review because I didn't think it was a mistake.
01:24All I did was request a review.
01:27I didn't tell them what they should do.
01:29Yes, I asked FIFA.
01:31I spoke with a highly respected man.
01:35Close quotation mark.
01:36This statement came as a bombshell, as it reveals pressure on an entity that claims to be independent.
01:44And Trump went even further.
01:46To justify the request, he decided to directly attack Brazilian refereeing.
01:52The person of the referee Rafael Claus.
01:54He cast doubt on the referee's integrity using the following words.
02:00It's a bit suspicious if you check his past.
02:05I don't want to say that, because I don't like to create controversy.
02:09But that's very suspicious, as if I could show you the history.
02:13He made a mark that nobody could believe, you know?
02:17Close quotation mark.
02:18Without presenting any evidence, Trump attempted to delegitimize the Brazilian arbitration.
02:25Rafael Claus, one of the most respected referees in South American football.
02:29Do you know what's most shocking about all of this?
02:31The pressure worked.
02:32The FIFA committee accepted the request and cleared Balogum to play against Belgium in the round of 16.
02:40Worldwide.
02:40To do this, FIFA unleashed an argument based on article 27 of the Disciplinary Code.
02:47Creating a sort of one-year probationary period for the player.
02:51Do you know when was the last time FIFA made an exception to allow a sent-off player to play?
02:57Next match?
02:57In 1962, more than 60 years ago.
03:02It's worth remembering that Trump and FIFA president Gianni Fantino are longtime allies.
03:08But the world of football didn't buy it.
03:11UEFA, the European Federation, released a scathing statement criticizing FIFA.
03:15Calling the decision unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.
03:20The European Union also denounced the case as clear political interference.
03:25Trump even celebrated the decision, thanking FIFA and saying he did the right thing by reversing an injustice.
03:34But the question remains, what if it were a smaller team with a different player and without the president's interference?
03:41of the Republic,
03:42Has the card been cancelled?
03:44And what did you think of the attacks on referee Rafael Claus?
03:48Does this set a dangerous precedent going forward?
03:50Leave your opinion in the comments below, let's discuss the topic.
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