UEFA has condemned FIFA’s decision to allow United States striker, Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup last-16 clash against Belgium despite his automatic suspension, calling the move “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and warning it threatens the integrity of the tournament.
Balogun, who was sent off in the United States’ group-stage victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, should have served a mandatory one-match ban. However, FIFA ruled that the suspension would not be enforced immediately, making the Americans’ leading scorer eligible for the knockout tie.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said an automatic one-match suspension for a red card “is not a discretionary option” but a principle embedded in football’s regulations. It warned that failing to apply the rule consistently undermines the credibility of the competition and creates a precedent for similar cases during the tournament.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it would challenge Balogun’s eligibility, while Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot said any political influence behind the decision would amount to a violation of football’s basic rules.
The BBC’s US media partner, CBS News, reported that US President, Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino about the suspension before the decision was reversed. Trump later thanked FIFA for what he described as “reversing a great injustice.”
Former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter said football “must never become a playground for political power,” while European Union sports commissioner, Glenn Micallef said sporting decisions should remain independent of political influence.
The dispute is the latest flashpoint in increasingly strained relations between UEFA and FIFA, which have clashed over several issues in recent months, including FIFA’s handling of World Cup referee appointments.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
