UEFA has launched a strong attack on FIFA over the controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic World Cup ban, saying the world football body has “crossed a red line.”
The European football governing body issued the criticism on Monday after FIFA cleared the United States striker to face Belgium in their World Cup last-16 clash Balogun had been expected to miss the match after receiving a straight red card in USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
But FIFA suspended the one-match ban for a probationary period of one year, allowing the striker to play the decision came after United States President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s punishment.
“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line,” UEFA said in a strongly worded statement.
UEFA said football depends on clear rules, especially in major tournaments.
“Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not,” it added.
Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was sent off after a video review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender.
Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-match suspension.
FIFA, however, said on Sunday that the ban had been suspended for one year, but gave no specific explanation for the decision UEFA warned that the ruling could damage trust in football beyond the ongoing World Cup.
“Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws,” UEFA said.
“A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also publicly called for Balogun’s red card to be rescinded.
Trump later praised FIFA on Truth Social, thanking the body for “doing what was right” and “reversing a great injustice.”
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked the decision, saying he did not know that July 5 had become April Fool’s Day at the World Cup.
