Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension | Chattanooga Times Free Press

The integrity of FIFA and the World Cup faced renewed scrutiny after reports that President Donald Trump intervened in the handling of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s red-card case. FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from Trump before Balogun was cleared to play Belgium later Monday. Balogun received a red card in the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, which had led to a suspension for the Belgium contest. FIFA lifted the ban on Sunday after Trump called Infantino to argue for overturning the call. The Belgian federation challenged FIFA’s decision not to enforce a ban, and UEFA called it an “incomprehensible” breach of the sport’s rule of law. FIFA’s appeal judge dismissed the legal challenge fewer than eight hours before kickoff in Seattle for a Round of 16 spot.