The Club World Cup final, held on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Chelsea caused a major upset by defeating PSG, had an unexpected protagonist in Donald Trump.
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The American president was the target of boos on multiple occasions, including during his appearance on screen during the national anthem and for his participation in the trophy presentation to the championship team, and also received a medal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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Why was Donald Trump booed?
Donald Trump is no stranger to massive sporting events. When he was a candidate, he attended a college football game, went to two UFC events, and in February became the first President of the United States to attend a Super Bowl.
In all of those events, he was received with applause and even ovations. But the final of the first Club World Cup with 32 teams, played in front of 80,000 people at MetLife Stadium, was a different experience for the Republican president.
Trump was caught on camera at the stadium while the United States anthem was playing before the start of the match, prompting loud boos from the stands, which even seemed to make Gianni Infantino uncomfortable next to him.
Later, the American president was booed again when he stepped onto the field alongside the FIFA president to present the medals to the players, individual awards of the tournament, and the trophy to Chelsea as champions. The president remained at the center of the TV shot just as Reece James lifted the trophy surrounded by his teammates.
Also unexpectedly, as can be concluded from his reaction, Trump received a medal from Gianni Infantino. Although FIFA did not provide an explanation, it is assumed to have been a protocol and symbolic gesture as the head of state of the host country of the tournament.
Enhanced security for the final
Following the presidential presence, security measures were significantly intensified, as reported by The Guardian.
Secret Service agents were stationed at the entrances, and the lines to enter moved slowly, although without any significant incidents. The presidential caravan entered through a reserved access point, the same one used by the players. Trump arrived at the stadium about 30 minutes before the start of the game, stepping out of his vehicle under a closed tent.
One of the most striking details, according to The Guardian, was the modification of the protocol before the meeting. The United States anthem, which is traditionally sung an hour before the start of this type of tournament, was rescheduled to play just before the initial whistle, in coordination with the arrival of the president.
In addition to Trump, the final between Chelsea and PSG featured the presence of several celebrities.
In the main box, Tom Brady, considered the greatest NFL player in history, was present, along with businessman Rupert Murdoch, owner of the FOX network. Several members of the presidential cabinet also attended, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi; Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem.
Trump’s close relationship with Infantino
The event, despite the boos, served Gianni Infantino to continue strengthening ties with Donald Trump, especially a year before the 2026 World Cup, which will be mostly played in the United States.
The president of FIFA does not hide his favoritism towards Trump, and in the past presidential elections in the United States, he congratulated him on social media even before the media declared him the official winner.
During the draw for the Club World Cup groups, the Republican president said of Infantino that "I only know him as Gianni (Infantino), he is a winner, he is the president, and I am also a president, and we have known each other for a long time."
This relationship has also generated controversy, such as when Infantino accompanied Trump on a trip to the Middle East, which caused his delay at the FIFA congress in Paraguay. This event sparked the discontent of several delegates who decided to leave the session in protest.