President Donald Trump has been an elusive figure throughout this World Cup. Or he was until the middle of last week, when he picked up the phone to call Gianni Infantino.
After Folarin Balogun's red card appeared to rule him out of the USMNT's round of 16 match, FIFA suspended his automatic one-game ban, despite there being no formal appeals process.
The Athletic investigated how the decision unfolded, the behind-the-scenes efforts to make Balogun available, and why it has reignited questions about FIFA's relationship with Trump and the governing body's application of its own rules.
President Donald Trump has been an elusive figure throughout this World Cup. Or he was until the middle of last week, when he picked up the phone to call Gianni Infantino.
After Folarin Balogun's red card appeared to rule him out of the USMNT's round of 16 match, FIFA suspended his automatic one-game ban, despite there being no formal appeals process.
The Athletic investigated how the decision unfolded, the behind-the-scenes efforts to make Balogun available, and why it has reignited questions about FIFA's relationship with Trump and the governing body's application of its own rules.
