UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to overturn the automatic suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, describing the move as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
Balogun was expected to serve a one-match suspension after receiving a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but was cleared to play in the United States’ FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after FIFA declined to enforce the ban.
In a statement, UEFA said an automatic one-match suspension for a red card “is not a discretionary option” but a principle embedded in football regulations.
“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,” UEFA said.
The European governing body warned that the decision sets a dangerous precedent, arguing that similar cases during the tournament would now require equal treatment.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” it added.
The controversy deepened after reports that United States President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the decision. Trump later thanked FIFA for “reversing a great injustice.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision, while Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, warned that political influence in disciplinary matters would amount to “a blatant violation of the most basic rules of football and sport.”
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also criticised the decision, saying football “must never become a playground for political power.”
European Union Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef said sporting decisions should remain the responsibility of football authorities, warning that political interference undermines the autonomy and integrity of sport.
