football

Giuliani backs Trump’s push to lift Balogun suspension

Published July 9, 2026 · Updated July 9, 2026 · The Guardian

Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup taskforce, defended Donald Trump’s lobbying to have FIFA lift the suspension of US player Folarin Balogun in preparation for Monday’s match against Belgium.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who issued a red card to Balogun in a recent match, was "a little bit suspect, if you check his past." Giuliani said the lobbying was aimed at removing the suspension in time for the upcoming game. The remarks followed a 2024 investigation by Brazil’s senate into referee assignments, which did not find any wrongdoing by Claus. mwafrika.life

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