"Calls everything into question!" - Klopp attacks Trump and Infantino

The lifting of Folarin Balogun's suspension after his red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina is causing a huge stir.

According to several media reports, the US President is said to have personally contacted FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the case. Reports: Trump contacted Infantino over Balogun >>>

FIFA subsequently placed the suspension on probation, making Balogun eligible for the Round of 16 match against Belgium (Tuesday, 2:00 AM in the LIVE ticker >>>).

"This is our game, not their game"

Jürgen Klopp is not pleased with the procedure: "If Trump and Infantino really settled this between themselves, that's crazy, it calls everything into question," the 59-year-old heavily criticized on "MagentaTV".

The DFB's preferred candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann rants: "These two people, who both have no idea about football, should have nothing to do with it. This is our game, not their game."

Klopp states there are no two opinions, expressing sharp criticism of the political interference. "If that was indeed the case: there's still the possibility that the USA won't field him anyway, because they'd say: 'That's not how we want it'," said Klopp.

Dangerous Precedent?

The decision also causes incomprehension for Norway's national team coach Stale Solbakken.

He spoke of a big mistake by FIFA: "It's a bad, bad, bad decision that will harm the World Cup. I also feel sorry for the USA. If they win, it will always hang in the balance. That's not good for the sport."

This decision would also create a dangerous precedent, Solbakken believes. "What about the next red card? What happens then? Will there be a body somewhere in the future that simply overturns such cards again?"