UEFA blasts FIFA over Balogun ban reversal, says World Cup ruling ‘crossed a red line’

UEFA has accused FIFA of “crossing a red line” after the world football governing body controversially suspended United States forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, allowing him to feature in the hosts’ World Cup last-16 clash against Belgium.

In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, UEFA condemned FIFA’s decision, which reportedly came after intervention from Donald Trump, describing it as unprecedented and damaging to the integrity of football.

“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 European football body stressed that the game depends on consistent application of its laws, warning that FIFA’s action could have wider consequences for football worldwide.

“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,” the statement added.

Balogun had been due to miss the United States’ knockout clash after receiving a straight red card in the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on an opponent’s foot following a VAR review.

Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension.

According to reports, Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the punishment, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly urged that the sanction be overturned.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee subsequently suspended the one-match ban for a probationary period of one year, without providing a detailed explanation.

Reacting to the decision, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also criticised the ruling, saying: “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.”