WASHINGTON, 22 July. - (ANA) - US President Donald Trump enlisted a whole team of people, including lawyers, to get Folarin Balogun's red card overturned during the World Cup, it has been revealed. FIFA's decision to suspend the USA striker's one-game ban sparked uproar throughout the football world and was arguably the tournament's most controversial moment. Balogun was shown a red card for a foul during his team's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, which should have ruled him out of their subsequent match against Belgium.

 

However, his ban was suspended for a one-year probationary period after Trump put pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino behind the scenes. Previously unknown details have since been revealed by talkSPORT, with the nature of Trump's intervention going far beyond what was initially reported. It's claimed that he was on the phone to Infantino within 24 hours of Balogun's sending-off, and that a specialist White House team was assembled to help him achieve his goal.

 

The report states that Andrew Giuliani, head of the World Cup task force, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin all worked with US Soccer to present a case.

 

It's also said that Trump-affiliated lawyers were drafted in to argue that VAR's excessive use of slow motion and still imagery misrepresented the incident.

 

The report adds that Trump was informed by several aides that referee Raphael Claus was accused of issuing irregular cards in 2023 by Botafogo owner John Textor.

 

It prompted him to describe Claus as "a little bit suspect" despite the fact that FIFA and Brazilian authorities found no wrongdoing on the part of the official.

 

FIFA's referee chief Pierluigi Collina was quick to publicly defend Claus, describing him as "an experienced and highly respected referee" and insisting the governing body maintained "full confidence in him as a trusted match official".

 

During the lobbying process, it's said that Infantino personally guaranteed Trump that he would look into the matter of getting Balogun's ban overturned.

 

It was reportedly made clear to FIFA's legal and compliance department that reviewing the red card should be dealt with as a top priority.

 

Infantino's closest allies are said to have dismissed the idea of political interference, insisting that the Balogun saga was far more overblown in Europe than outside of it.

 

However, the nature of Trump's interference and the subsequent decision to suspend the forward's one-game ban has certainly not been forgotten.

 

Infantino has already stated that he played no part in shaping the outcome, claiming that he would be unable to do so because FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently.

 

Article 27 of the governing body's Disciplinary Code states that the disciplinary committee "may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure".

 

The ruling caused widespread confusion and anger throughout the football world. UEFA released a strongly-worded statement accusing FIFA of threatening the integrity of the tournament by setting a "balanced measure" precedent.

 

Belgium also appealed the decision but it was deemed inadmissible by FIFA, meaning they retained the final say and Trump's goal was achieved.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/22 July 2026 - - -