European football’s governing body, UEFA, has strongly criticised FIFA over its decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban, describing the move as unprecedented and damaging to the integrity of football.
The controversy erupted after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended the automatic one-match ban handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun, making him eligible to feature in the USA’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, UEFA said the decision to suspend the sanction for a one-year probationary period had crossed a “red line.”
According to UEFA, football depends on clear and consistently applied rules to ensure fairness, honesty and transparency in every competition.
“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.
The organisation stressed that football remains the world’s most popular sport because the same rules apply at every level of the game.
It warned that decisions taken during a FIFA World Cup have far-reaching consequences and could set dangerous precedents for football globally.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA added.
The FIFA suspends Folarin Balogun ban controversy began after the striker received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
Balogun was sent off after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review ruled that he had stepped on an opponent’s foot. Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card automatically carries a one-match suspension.
However, multiple reports indicated that United States President Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the punishment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly called for the suspension to be overturned.
On Sunday, FIFA confirmed that the disciplinary committee had suspended the one-match ban for one year, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. The governing body did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision.
Reacting to the development, Trump praised FIFA on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also questioned the decision, expressing surprise at the timing of the ruling.
“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” Garcia told reporters.
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