Trump lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun suspension for World Cup game v Belgium

The brief

Donald Trump lobbied Fifa to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card received in the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, preceding Sunday’s stunning announcement that he would be available for the cohosts’ last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night. Sources have told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to Fifa, starting from Wednesday, to ensure that the change was made. The decision gives the US a huge boost on the field as they attempt to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Balogun has been a constant threat for the US so far this tournament, and has…