When Presidents Override Referees: FIFA's Suspension Reversal Tests Sports Independence

Trump called FIFA president Infantino, who reinstated suspended US striker Folarin Balogun for Monday's Belgium match—the first such reversal since 1962. The move has alarmed rights groups and journalists asking whether FIFA's disciplinary system can remain independent when sitting heads of state can reopen settled penalties mid-tournament. Other nations facing suspended players may now expect the same access to appeal.