UEFA has slammed FIFA for an incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision to suspend USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban.
Following an intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, FIFA controversially lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium.
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Citing Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, FIFA opted to suspend the one-match ban for a one-year probationary period, effectively clearing Balogun to face Belgium.
However, in a statement issued on Monday via their X handle, European football’s governing body furiously hit back, stating that by making middle-of-tournament exceptions for automatic suspensions, FIFA is compromising the integrity, credibility, and fairness of the World Cup.
“Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.
“It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.
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“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. A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
