The New York Times recently broke details about a direct call made by President Trump to Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, regarding the suspension of Folarin Balogun. Balogun, a striker for the U.S. men’s soccer team, received a red card, rendering him ineligible for an upcoming match against Belgium. Following the call, FIFA overturned the suspension, allowing Balogun to play.
Two reporters from The New York Times, Tyler Pager and Tariq Panja, collaborated to uncover the details of this incident. Tyler Pager, who covers the White House, and Tariq Panja, focused on sports, provided insights into their investigative process, highlighting both the challenges and methods used in their reporting.
Initial Steps After Breaking News
Upon the announcement of Balogun’s reinstatement, Tyler Pager, en route to Istanbul, began messaging his sources to confirm the details of Trump’s involvement. Despite being on a plane, access to Wi-Fi enabled him to reach out to various contacts, although confirmation required communication with multiple sources.
Understanding the relationship between Trump and Infantino, Pager suspected that a conversation between them might have influenced the decision. His efforts paid off when a source confirmed that such a discussion took place. To solidify the report, he enlisted the help of Tariq Panja.
Collaborative Reporting Efforts
Tariq Panja faced his own set of challenges while covering a match in Mexico City. He was preparing to attend one of the World Cup’s significant matches between Mexico and England when the story broke. Despite technical issues and limited access, Panja contacted his network to acquire additional confirmation and detailed information about the event. Together, Pager and Panja successfully collaborated to publish the story.
The reversal of Balogun’s suspension by FIFA was one of the most unexpected developments in the history of the World Cup.
This incident demonstrates the complexities and efforts involved in journalism, especially when covering international and high-stakes events.
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