UEFA has voiced strong disapproval of FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, which allows him to participate in the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium.
Balogun, the USMNT’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals, received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina‘s defender Tarik Muharemovic during a 2-0 victory in the prior round.
FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun’s automatic one-match ban would be suspended for a year, referencing a rule that allows for such suspensions, much to UEFA’s astonishment.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA stated in a communication on their website.
“The decision to postpone the one-match automatic suspension resulting from Balogun’s red card is crossing a red line.”
U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media, expressing gratitude to FIFA “for doing the right thing and correcting a great injustice!”
According to reports from ABC, Trump reached out to FIFA last week, urging president Gianni Infantino to reconsider Balogun’s red card. Belgium’s football federation expressed its shock over the decision to reverse the red card, stating it is “exploring all potential options.”
UEFA emphasized that by making an exception for Balogun during the World Cup, FIFA has jeopardized the integrity of the game and set a troubling precedent.
“Football, like all sports, depends on rules that ensure fair, honest, and transparent competition,” the UEFA statement added. “While some rules may be subject to interpretation, this one is not. A minimum automatic suspension following a red card is mandatory and does not require approval from any governing body to be enforced.”
“This principle is ingrained in regulations and cannot be bent or ignored, especially during a tournament where other players have appropriately served their suspensions.”
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“If the certainty of rules cannot be guaranteed by those who enforce them, the integrity of the game is compromised and the competition’s credibility is at risk.”
“Furthermore, this decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, necessitating equal treatment for similar cases, which could negatively affect the competition.”
In a follow-up statement on Monday, FIFA responded: “There are no provisions in the FIFA Disciplinary Code or the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 26™ that prevent the FIFA Disciplinary Committee from exercising its discretion according to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
FIFA also addressed UEFA’s criticism directly, stating that reviewing the legal ramifications of red cards in football is not a new concept. “In most top-tier leagues affiliated with UEFA, overturning red cards is a common practice that has never raised concerns about breaching any ‘red line.’ It should be noted that in this case, the red card was not overturned—only its effects were suspended as per established regulations, which is a more balanced approach.”
The USMNT will face Belgium on Monday night, both teams aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.