Boos echoed around New York, New Jersey Stadium on Sunday as US President, Donald Trump and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino walked onto the pitch for the World Cup trophy presentation following Spain’s victory.
The jeers subsided as Trump and Infantino presented medals to the players and coaching staff before handing the World Cup trophy to Spain captain, Rodri. Trump remained on the podium with the Spanish squad until he was asked to step aside moments before Rodri lifted the trophy.
Trump had been at the centre of one of the tournament’s biggest controversies after calling Infantino to review the red card shown to US striker, Folarin Balogun during a group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun’s one-match suspension was later lifted, allowing him to feature in the United States’ round-of-16 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a decision that drew widespread scrutiny throughout the tournament.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
