UEFA strongly criticizes FIFA decision to rescind Balogun's suspension
UEFA has condemned FIFA's Disciplinary Committee's decision to overturn a one-match ban for US striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card in the World Cup round of 32.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has issued a sharp criticism of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Disciplinary Committee's ruling to rescind US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension.
Balogun received a red card in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which carries an automatic one-match ban. However, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee later replaced it with a conditional one-year probation period.
Unconfirmed reports online suggest that US President Donald Trump may have been involved in the decision, though no official confirmation exists.
In a statement, UEFA emphasized that the move overrides clear rules and threatens the integrity of the sport. The organization noted that a one-match suspension for a red card is not open to interpretation – it is mandatory.
"When the clarity of rules is no longer ensured, the integrity of the sport is jeopardized and the credibility of the competition is undermined. This decision sets a precedent for the remainder of the tournament, where similar cases will have to be reviewed again," UEFA said.
The Belgian Football Federation, whose team is also in the tournament, still has the opportunity to appeal FIFA's decision on match day, but no guarantee of reinstating the suspension is provided.
Balogun, 25, is a Nigerian-descended striker who grew up in London and represented England's youth teams. At senior level, he plays for the US national team – he was born in New York City when his parents were visiting. A product of Arsenal's academy, he now plays for AS Monaco in France, scoring 13 goals in 30 league appearances this season. For the US, he has 12 goals in 30 caps, and in this World Cup he has scored three goals in three matches.
