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US President Donald Trump’s phone call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to have the red card for the co-host’s star striker Folarin Balogun reviewed is the latest instance of political interference in the World Cup.
Balogun is free to play later on Monday in the last-16 match with Belgium after the governing body said the ban will be suspended for a year.
AFP Sport highlights other examples at previous World Cups:
Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini made the most of the country hosting the finals.
