🚨 UEFA hit out at FIFA after Balogun ban is lifted | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is sliding into a major diplomatic and institutional crisis.

FIFA’s unprecedented decision to suspend the sanction against American striker Folarin Balogun — sent off with a straight red card against Bosnia but ultimately cleared to play in the round of 16 against Belgium following political intervention reportedly coming from Donald Trump — has sparked UEFA’s anger.

In a particularly forceful statement, the European governing body denounced a decision that was "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," accusing FIFA of having "crossed a red line" and of endangering sporting fairness.

For UEFA, the application of Article 27 of the disciplinary code, allowing an automatic sanction linked to a red card to be suspended, is an absurdity that undermines the credibility of the competition.

As The Athletic and The New York Times report a direct exchange between the White House and Gianni Infantino aimed at influencing the disciplinary commission, world football has been plunged into controversy on the eve of the clash between the United States and Belgium.

"Football is based on rules that are the foundation of a fair and transparent competition. In this case, FIFA has clearly overstepped its authority," UEFA also lashed out, amid an unprecedented climate of tension surrounding this World Cup.

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

📸 ODD ANDERSEN - AFP or licensors