UEFA has called out FIFA for the global football ruling body’s controversial decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on United States of America striker Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun, born to Nigerian parents, had faced an automatic one-game ban following the red card he received during Thursday’s 2-0 round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, the ban was suspended by FIFA yesterday reportedly after US President Donald Trump pressured FIFA President Gianni Infantino, making Balogun eligible for tonight’s round of 16 clash against Belgium.
“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 an official statement today.
“Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case 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 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.
“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.
“Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an 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 with the same laws.
“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.”
Balogun has been pivotal for USA at this World Cup, scoring three goals in three matches, including in the fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
