Keane left speechless as Trump admits calling Infantino over Balogun red card

Roy Keane’s reaction to Donald Trump’s admission summed up the mood of much of the football world. Speaking on The Overlap, the Manchester United legend leaned forward and asked, “Is this real?” before sitting back and saying, “I can’t believe it” — a three-word verdict on one of the most extraordinary interventions in World Cup history.

The saga began when Monaco striker Folarin Balogun was controversially dismissed for a studs-up challenge during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup. The red card carried an automatic suspension that would have ruled Balogun out of the USA’s round of 16 tie against Belgium in Seattle. Before that match could take place, Trump made a phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked for the decision to be reviewed.

FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun’s ban for a probationary period of one year, clearing him to play against Belgium. Trump then addressed the matter publicly, telling reporters: “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’ [I] didn’t think it was a foul.”

Gary Neville read those quotes aloud on The Overlap before Keane’s stunned reaction. Neville himself was unsparing in his assessment of what the episode represents. “I have never seen or heard anything like that in my life,” he said. “FIFA, to be honest with you, they’ve got a real problem. This is not going to go away. This is basically interference at the highest level — he’s admitted it, he’s contacted them and asked them to review it. This is interference, with power, at the highest level into football and into a World Cup.”

Infantino acknowledged the phone call took place but insisted he played no part in the disciplinary outcome, stating that an independent body made the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban.

The Belgian FA were among the first to publicly condemn the intervention. England manager Thomas Tuchel and Norway head coach Stale Solbakken also criticised FIFA over the handling of the case. Neville went further, suggesting the USA should consider not selecting Balogun for the Belgium fixture given the circumstances surrounding his availability.