Donald Trump to break FIFA World Cup final tradition during trophy presentation
· Yahoo Sports
U.S. President Donald Trump has been authorized to participate in the World Cup trophy presentation - mirroring his controversial actions at last summer's FIFA Club World Cup.
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The USA, which is hosting the majority of this summer's games, also staged the club edition 12 months ago, which Chelsea captured. When the president handed team captain Reece James the trophy, he didn't leave the platform, choosing instead to remain and be part of the festivities.
FIFA has no issue with him doing the same thing again, reports talkSPORT, despite it defying standard procedures. FIFA convention typically calls for the trophy to stay on a plinth and be transported by a member of the winning team onto the main stage.
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Sources indicate that FIFA will defer to Trump regarding whether he wants to stay with the team during the presentation or step away and observe the ceremony. Those at the White House expect Trump will once more opt to celebrate alongside the championship side.
The U.S. President has already been informed that FIFA wants him to present the World Cup trophy to the champions. Mexican and Canadian representatives will be asked to take part in the closing ceremony.
Trump's choice to linger with the Chelsea team last year after their triumph over Paris Saint-Germain created some uncomfortable situations, many of which were documented on film. Trump delivered the trophy to James, but, instead of departing as anticipated, remained present.
The Blues captain, who was most recently questioned about the incident, admitted he was taken aback. He said, via The Mirror: "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."
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Cole Palmer, who netted twice in the final at the MetLife Stadium, reflected afterwards: "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."
Trump was nowhere to be seen at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for the U.S. Men's National Team's 4-1 World Cup opening win against Paraguay. His absence was attributed to a "tight schedule," according to White House executive director Andrew Giuliani.