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UEFA criticises FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card, sparking controversy ahead of US vs Belgium FIFA World Cup game.
Folarin Balogun being shown a red card by the referee (Picture credit: AP)
The Union of European Football Associations has said that FIFA’s step to get rid of the red card imposed on Folarin Balogun ‘crossed a red line’, as the football world heats up ahead of the United States vs Belgium Round of 16 clash at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
Balogun had appeared all set to miss Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium after being sent off in his previous game. But on Sunday, July 5, FIFA suspended his ban for a year, making the striker eligible for the knockout encounter.
According to a report in AFP, US President Donald Trump called his FIFA counterpart, Gianni Infantino, asking him to review Balogun’s 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 its statement.
“Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case, not,” the statement added.
Balogun, 25, was shown a straight red card after a VAR review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia defender in the US’ 2-0 last-32 victory.
Under FIFA regulations, a red card results in a one-game suspension that can’t be appealed. But the governing body’s statutes also include a provision permitting FIFA to ‘fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure’, giving it the authority to override the sporting consequences of a referee’s decision.
The little-known provision was used to overturn the three-game suspension handed to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the tournament as well, permitting him to feature in his nation’s opening two games.
The US team welcomed the decision, which coach Mauricio Pochettino called ‘fair’, but it sparked outrage from Belgium and other teams.
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