When politics intruded on the World Cup pitch
Sports
Politics
July 6, 2026
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LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump’s phone call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to have the red card for the co-hosts’ star striker Folarin Balogun reviewed is the latest instance of political interference in the World Cup.
Balogun is free to play later on Monday in the last-16 match with Belgium after world football’s governing body said the ban will be suspended for a year.
Here are other examples at previous World Cups:
Sports
Politics
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