‘Operate autonomously’: FIFA denies pressure as Trump confirms Balogun intervention

 The clarification came after FIFA allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium, a decision that drew criticism and raised questions over whether Trump’s intervention had influenced the outcome. The clarification came after FIFA allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium, a decision that drew criticism and raised questions over whether Trump’s intervention had influenced the outcome.