Official – UEFA blasts FIFA after its Balogun decision

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·6. Juli 2026

Official – UEFA blasts FIFA after its Balogun decision

FIFA made a major decision yesterday by lifting the automatic suspension following the red card shown to 24-year-old United States striker Folarin Balogun. After being sent off against Bosnia, he will ultimately be able to play against Belgium in the round of 16 this Tuesday at 2 a.m., since his suspension has now been made conditional. A reprieve that has caused a lot of debate, while other players have logically kept their suspensions during the tournament. And UEFA, the European governing body, reacted in an aggressive statement.

“Under Article 27, the enforcement of the automatic suspension of American player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the statement says. Article 27 states that “the judicial body may decide to suspend, in whole or in part, the enforcement of a disciplinary measure,” as L’Equipe pointed out regarding FIFA’s decision.

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UEFA’s official statement:

The decision taken yesterday to suspend, on a one-year probationary basis, the enforcement of the automatic one-match suspension following the red card shown to player Folarin Balogun constitutes crossing a red line. Football, like any other sport, is based on rules, the foundation of fair, honest, and transparent competition. While some rules may be open to interpretation, that is not the case here. The minimum automatic one-match suspension after a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the intervention of a competent body to be enforced. It is a principle written into the regulations and cannot be subject to exceptions, especially in the middle of a tournament, when several other players have found themselves in the same situation and duly served their suspension. When the strict application of the rules is no longer guaranteed by those responsible for upholding them, the integrity of the game is compromised and the credibility of the competition is damaged. Moreover, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now be subject to the same treatment, to the detriment of the competition. Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game, and it inspires trust because it is played everywhere under the same rules. A tournament is never an isolated entity and, when it is the World Cup, it has the power to influence the whole of football, positively or negatively. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable decision.”

UEFA is therefore joining the widespread outrage seen since FIFA’s announcement. It must be said that, from a sporting standpoint, it is difficult to understand why this red card is the only one to receive such a ruling. Apart from the link with the United States, and a call from President Donal Trump that has been mentioned, explanations are lacking. There needs to be a response. However, it is not really clear where this could lead.

There is talk of a Belgian appeal to have the suspension change overturned, except that it seems very complicated. It is sad: such a decision raises doubts about fairness, even though the World Cup is otherwise, overall, a success. It also highlights the major tensions that exist in the world of football, while the authorities often try to promote respect and unity.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.