UEFA says FIFA ‘crossed a red line’ over Balogun ban suspension after Trump’s intervention

UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following his red card, saying the move “crossed a red line” and undermined the integrity of the FIFA World Cup.

The governing body’s rebuke came after FIFA confirmed that the implementation of Balogun’s automatic suspension had been put on hold under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, making the 25-year-old available for the USA’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

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Balogun had been sent off in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after receiving a straight red card. The striker, who has already scored three goals in the tournament, had been expected to miss the knockout fixture before FIFA overturned the suspension.

In a strongly worded statement, UEFA questioned both the timing and the legality of FIFA’s decision.

“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of one year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line,” UEFA said.

“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, they are not.

“A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in the regulations which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.”

UEFA warned that such an exception risks damaging the credibility of the tournament and sets a precedent that could affect future disciplinary decisions.

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.

“Such a decision also creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.

“Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere under the same laws. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” the statement added.

According to Fox News, U.S. President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Balogun’s dismissal, urging a review of the incident. FIFA subsequently reconsidered the case before clearing the forward to feature against Belgium.

Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump welcomed the decision in a post on Truth Social, writing: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President Donald J. Trump.”