- The obvious question many are asking is: how did this happen?
- FIFA’s disciplinary code says Balogun should face a minimum two-match suspension for serious foul play.
- World Cup rules do not permit appeals against red cards.
- FIFA’s announcement gave no rationale for pausing Balogun’s ban, citing only “Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
- Article 27 empowers FIFA to fully or partly suspend a disciplinary sanction.
- It is a broad provision that effectively lets FIFA decide without meeting other specific criteria.
- This article had not previously been invoked at a World Cup.
- Balogun’s suspension was reduced to one game rather than the two mandated in the code, with no explanation provided.
- When asked for clarification, FIFA offered no reasoning and instead pointed to Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban before this tournament.
- Under the code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s November qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
- He missed one match (the final qualifier versus Armenia), and the remaining two games were suspended.
- Ronaldo’s red card, however, occurred in qualifying, not during a World Cup.
- Players have been granted leniency before major tournaments before—Ronaldo was not unique. Examples include France’s Laurent Koscielny in 2014, and Ecuador’s Moisés Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi before this World Cup.
- In Ronaldo’s case, FIFA at least cited a reason, noting he had no prior red cards in 225 other international appearances.
- No such justification has been offered for Balogun.
- The lack of transparency invites speculation: Why was this treated differently? What criteria were used? Who made the call?
- There is no indication the referee requested the suspension be lifted, nor that VAR protocols were breached.
- In England, the FA would publish full written reasons. The United States can ask FIFA to release them; Belgium cannot.
- BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards called the situation a farce, arguing that postponing the punishment for a year undermines the tournament and appears aimed at keeping star players involved.
- Belgium expressed anger, saying they were astonished Balogun was cleared to play.
- The Belgian FA cited regulations, workshop briefings, and pre-tournament meetings, insisting the decision contradicts rules mandating an automatic suspension for the next match.
- They contend FIFA used its disciplinary code to override competition regulations.
- Belgium coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to an April Fools’ joke, saying they are defending the integrity of football.
- Other players sent off at this World Cup will wonder what this means for them.
- Consider Qatar’s Assim Madibo, involved in a collision that led to Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné suffering a broken leg.
- There is a strong argument Madibo did not actually challenge for the ball and the injury was accidental rather than caused by the tackle itself.
- Yet FIFA imposed a five-match ban on Madibo—three more than the standard punishment for serious foul play.
July7July 7, 2026