Fifa has issued a strong response to Uefa’s condemnation regarding the decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s suspension, calling the criticism hypocritical. This exchange is part of a broader dispute concerning the ruling that permits the USA striker to participate despite having received a red card.
Mohammad Al Kamali, head of Fifa’s disciplinary committee, released a statement prior to the USA’s match against Belgium, asserting that “the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure” within leagues governed by Uefa. He emphasized that such actions have never previously raised concerns about violating any ‘red line.’
In defending its controversial decision to rescind Balogun’s suspension, Fifa characterized it as “yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’” and “nothing new in the modern game” Conversely, Uefa criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines the integrity of the World Cup, where an automatic one-match suspension is mandated for red cards.
This unprecedented relief for Balogun, who was sent off during the USA’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed significant lobbying from Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials in the White House.
Fifa stated, “Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game,”
“For instance, in the majority of top-tier leagues belonging to Uefa-affiliated member associations the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure, yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’. “And again, it should be emphasised that in the decision under scrutiny, the red card was not overturned. Suspending the effects of a red card based on an explicit provision of the applicable regulations is a much more balanced measure.”
While Al Kamali’s statement did not reference Trump’s involvement directly, it underscored that the disciplinary committee functions independently from Fifa’s executive, which is led by President Gianni Infantino.
Fifa had remained silent on the matter until Trump publicly disclosed his role, revealing during a press conference that he had reached out to Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card.
Later, Infantino clarified his lack of involvement in the decision-making process, stating, “The Fifa disciplinary committee (as any other Fifa judicial body) is independent as provided by the Fifa statutes and the Fifa disciplinary code,”
Belgium has expressed outrage over Fifa’s ruling and is considering taking the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
