Donald Trump is set to play a major role in the World Cup final as he will help present the winners, either Spain or Argentina, with medals but some fear he may repeat his Chelsea controversy
Donald Trump is expected to be part of the major trophy presentation at the World Cup final but some fear we could see a repeat of the US President breaking FIFA protocol like he did during the Club World Cup celebrations.
The stage is set for Spain versus Argentina in the New York New Jersey Stadium but some eyes will be on the celebrations and in particular, on Trump after his antics when Chelsea lifted the trophy in the US last year at the final at the MetLife Stadium.
The US President was on hand last July, similar to his role this evening, to great and help give out medals to the winning team. Chelsea were the Club World Cup champions and lifted the trophy along with a special guest.
Unlike most key figures during a trophy presentation, Trump decided to stick with the Chelsea team as they lifted the trophy in a breach of protocol that also left the players baffled.
Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James, but failed to vacate the stage and became part of the celebrations. Standard FIFA protocol states that the trophy should remain on a plinth and be carried onto the celebration podium by a member of the victorious side. Meaning Trump had broken the rules.
Footage of the celebrations last summer showed officials try to get Trump to leave, including calls reportedly coming from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was at one point alongside him.
At the time, Chelsea captain James said: “Answering your question, before, they told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage, and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer also added his thoughts on the controversy. He said: “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes.”
The incident has sparked fears ever since that Trump may once again share the stage with winning team ahead of the final tonight (July 19).
However, according to talkSPORT, FIFA reportedly has no objections to Trump repeating the antics if he decides to gatecrash the trophy lift again.
Now just hours away from kickoff, we could potentially see football icon Lionel Messi in his last World Cup or Spain’s Rodri lift the trophy right next to Trump.