介绍： Greenland, Tariffs, NATO and Now Soccer. Trump Creates a New Clash With Europe.
From: The New York Times
Tensions between the United States and Europe took a new turn on Monday as Belgian officials and European soccer figures expressed outrage over the reinstatement of a banned American player before an eveni...

介绍： Greenland, Tariffs, NATO and Now Soccer. Trump Creates a New Clash With Europe.
From: The New York Times
Tensions between the United States and Europe took a new turn on Monday as Belgian officials and European soccer figures expressed outrage over the reinstatement of a banned American player before an evening World Cup game against Belgium.
The trans-Atlantic relationship had already been under strain for much of the past year and a half, and is poised to face another test just this week as leaders head to Turkey for a closely watched NATO summit. Now many in Europe are also outraged over what they see as the American president's meddling in soccer.
President Trump started 2026 with threats to take over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member, a move that rattled the foundations of the alliance. He has also assailed European leaders over the war in Iran, saying they have not supported the United States in that conflict.
His administration has threatened to draw down troops stationed in Europe, which are seen as a critical deterrent to Russia, and he has lashed out at countries he says aren't spending enough on their militaries.
European leaders have been hoping to use the NATO summit, which begins on Tuesday, to demonstrate how much more they are spending on their militaries, with a goal of keeping Mr. Trump and the United States engaged in the military alliance. The stakes are high as Russia increases its attacks on Ukraine, with a strike last week leading to the death of 31, and one on Monday morning that killed at least 12 people.
Last week, Mr. Trump called the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and asked the association to review the suspension of the top goal scorer in the World Cup for the American team, Folarin Balogun, after he was given a red card banning him from a game, according to people familiar with the conversation.
Belgian officials expressed dismay after FIFA, the world soccer governing body, announced on Sunday that it was lifting the one-game suspension against Mr. Balogun. Maxime Prévot, Belgium's foreign minister and a former soccer referee, said in statement on Monday that the decision might undermine FIFA's expressed commitment to fair play.
“This decision clearly raises many questions,” Mr. Prévot said. “If a phone call really is what explains this incomprehensible decision, it would amount to undermining the most basic rules of soccer and sports.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association said in a statement that it “has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match,” adding that it was “deeply concerned” by the process.
But Belgium's appeal of the red card reversal was denied. “The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” according to a statement by the FIFA Appeal Committee on Monday.
In the end it made no difference. Belgium crushed the United States 4-1, in a game the Americans never really contested, to advance to the quarterfinals against Spain.
UEFA, European soccer's governing body, said in a statement that FIFA's reversal had “crossed a red line,” calling it “an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”