The US secretary of commerce, Howard Lutnick, reportedly went to FIFA behind the scenes to get the red-card suspension of Folarin Balogun overturned at the FIFA World Cup.
Sources close to the discussions told Fox News that Lutnick, who has ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and other top officials within the global football governing body, made private contacts with FIFA in an effort to see the striker available after his expulsion in their fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In an early June dinner, hosted at his own residence, Lutnick also met with Infantino and senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and some of his closest associates for what sources called a “congenial gathering,” adding to his burgeoning ties with senior administration figures.
It’s understood Infantino has visited the US commerce department before, and Lutnick was even pictured in the stands, sitting with Infantino, for US vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – when the red card occurred.
The US Commerce Department declined to comment on the lobbying effort to FIFA. US Soccer did not comment on the reports. It is unclear how much influence Lutnick had, if any, on the outcome of Balogun’s suspension.
