Donald Trump has been cropped out of FIFA’s official photo of the trophy lift after the US President decided to stay on the stage to breach protocol for the second time during celebrations
Donald Trump appears to have been axed from the official trophy lift photos by FIFA after he once again breached protocol in Spain’s celebration.
The US President was on hand to present the trophy to Spain’s captain Rodri with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but Trump decided to stick around.
Last night’s (July 19) World Cup final saw Spain beat Argentina with an extra time winner from Ferran Torres, stopping a fairytale ending on Lionel Messi’s international career at the major tournament.
Trump presented medals to both Spain and Argentina before fulfilling fears that he would repeat his antics from the Club World Cup trophy lift last summer – and he did just that.
The US President being on the stage is a clear breach of FIFA protocol and saw Infantine appear to try get Trump to leave the stage moments before Rodri lifted the World Cup.
Since the controversial incident, FIFA appeared to have cropped Trump from the official image of the trophy lift, which was published across their social media pages. Only a slight part of Trump’s body is visible in the image as FIFA keep the podium lettering in the image.
Trump repeated his antics from the Chelsea trophy at the MetLife Stadium last July when they lifted the Club World Cup.
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.
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.
After last night’s repeat of the breach, Trump has breached protocol for every FIFA trophy lift despite Infantino on both occasions trying to urge the US President to leave the stage.
At the time of the Club World Cup incident, 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.”