By: Ganiyu Olayinka
UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following his red card, allowing him to feature in the USMNT’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
Balogun, the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament with three goals, was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović during his side’s 2-0 Round of 32 victory.
FIFA announced on Sunday that the automatic one-match suspension would be suspended for a probationary period of one year, under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code that allows certain sanctions to be suspended. Under the ruling, Balogun would only serve the ban if he commits a similar offence within the year.
The decision prompted a furious reaction from European football’s governing body. “We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA said in a statement on its website. “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 argued that FIFA’s decision had jeopardised the integrity of the competition by making an exception during the World Cup. “Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition,” the statement continued. “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.”
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA’s ruling, posting on his Truth Social platform: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
The United States will face Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle on Monday, with Balogun now available for selection after FIFA’s controversial decision.