Shocking scenes from the secret dinner… How the White House pressured Balogun to cancel his card?

Press reports revealed the move at the highest levels in Washington and Zurich to overturn the red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup match against Belgium.

According to an investigation published by the newspaper:POLITICAL:A US government affairs specialist said the lifting of Balogun’s suspension came after “four days of coordinated pressure, legal maneuvering and diplomatic efforts stretching from the Oval Office to Zurich”.

The story began when Balogun was sent off after a brutal tackle on the ankle by Bosnia’s Tarik Mahremovic in a Round of 32 match that America won 2-0. Although the ban would have prevented him from meeting Belgium in the round of 16, it was announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted 48 hours before the match.

Trump’s call and Infantino’s secret dinner

“And it was revealed”NBC:“US President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino directly to inquire about the player’s punishment.

Andrew Giuliani, the head of the organizing committee of the World Cup and the son of the former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, informed Trump about the incident.

The action started immediately after the final whistle. Behind him were Giuliani and officials from the American federation, in addition to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has close ties to FIFA.

Politico reported that Lutnik attended a secret dinner with Infantino in early June that “confirms the close ties that FIFA has established with the Trump administration.”

An inquiry into the background of the decision and legal interference

Those close to Trump studied the record of Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus, who is known for the red card of Folarin Balogun.

Politico reports that the White House offered legal advice to the American Federation through Giuliani and Lutnik.

Meanwhile, Giuliani and Scott Goodwin, a hedge fund manager who shares in coach Mauricio Pochettino’s salary, have launched an investigation into Klaus’ antecedents. “Articles detailing past controversies involving Klaus circulated among senior government officials as they weighed the arguments for the appeal,” the newspaper reported.

FIFA’s legal department, headed by Emilio Garcia, advised Infantino on procedural options. On Sunday, the federation relied on an “uncertain” article in its regulations to justify lifting the fine.

FIFA confirmed to Politico that the Disciplinary Committee made the decision “independently” without releasing an official report explaining the reasons.

Balogun, who scored 19 goals in 43 appearances for Monaco last season, has thus become one of the most recognizable faces at the World Cup for reasons beyond the green rectangle.