Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterUEFA have waded into the row over Folarin Balogun's suspended one-match ban in stunning fashion.Folarin Balogun was set to miss out on the United States' World Cup last-16 showdown with Belgium on Monday after a sending off during the previous round of 32.The Monaco forward received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemovic, which incurred an automatic suspension.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kUEFA condemn FIFA's Folarin Balogun decisionHowever FIFA triggered 'Article 27' of its Disciplinary Code, which allows Balogun's looming ban to be held back for a probationary 12-month period.The decision was reportedly taken after private discussions between US President Donald Trump and the head of world football's governing body, Gianni Infantino. You may like Rudi Garcia hits out at 'April Fools' Folarin Balogun ruling Why has Folarin Balogun World Cup ban been suspended after USA red card? FIFA at centre of new political storm ahead of USA Belgium as Donald Trump intervenes It means Balogun, who has scored three goals in as many World Cup starts, will be available for Mauricio Pochettino's side in their encounter with the Red Devils.FIFA's retrospective action is being widely condemned with Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia blasting the decision as an 'April Fools' ahead of the clash in Seattle.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said the move 'absolutely stinks' after the governing body 'just decided to basically let a player play'.Sepp Blatter, Infantino's controversial predecessor as FIFA President, has also questioned Trump's potential involvement in Balogun's ban receiving a temporary hold."Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies," he wrote on X. "If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President - and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match - the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis [Where are you going], FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power." What to read next Argentina star banned from World Cup opener by FIFA Haiti forced into major World Cup change on eve of Scotland match as FIFA make political decision Why Jude Bellingham and England were not penalised by new World Cup red card rule Now UEFA have issued a forthright condemnation of their global counterparts and insisted the decision to suspend Balogun's ban on Sunday 'crossed a red line'."Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition," read an official statement. "Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. 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."It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension."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. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition."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. A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole."We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."TOPICSFolarin BalogunUnited StatesUSAWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Richard Buxton
