UEFA slams FIFA over Balogun suspension reversal, warns World Cup integrity at risk
UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA for overturning the automatic suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun, describing the decision as unprecedented and damaging to the integrity of football.
Balogun was sent off during the USA’s World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was due to miss his side’s Round of 32 clash against Belgium under FIFA’s automatic one-match suspension rule.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been put on hold for one year, making the striker available for selection against Belgium.
The decision came after reports that US President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, urging the world football governing body to review Balogun’s ban.
Reacting on Monday, UEFA said FIFA had crossed “a red line” by suspending the automatic punishment.
“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 said in a statement.
The European football governing body stressed that automatic suspensions following red cards are mandatory and should not be subject to discretion.
“Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition.
“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.”
UEFA warned that altering such a rule during an ongoing World Cup undermines the credibility of the competition and creates an unfair precedent for future disciplinary cases.
“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.
“Such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.”
The organisation added that football’s global appeal is built on the consistent application of its laws across all competitions.
“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.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
The controversy has also drawn criticism from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
