Fifa has responded to Uefa amid an escalating exchange over the recent decision to lift the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun. The governing body accused Uefa of hypocrisy regarding its criticism of this controversial ruling.
In a statement released prior to the USA’s round of 16 match against Belgium, Fifa, through its disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali, emphasized that “the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure” in leagues affiliated with Uefa, adding that this has never raised concerns about violating any ‘red line’.
Fifa defended its decision to allow Balogun to play, labeling it as “yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’” and asserting that such actions are not unprecedented in contemporary football.
Uefa, however, strongly condemned Fifa’s action on Monday, stating that it had crossed “nothing new in the modern game” that jeopardized the integrity of the World Cup. This critique was centered around Balogun’s eligibility to compete against Belgium, despite regulations stipulating that red cards result in an automatic one-match suspension.
The unexpected reversal of Balogun’s ban, after he received a red card during the USA’s last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a first in World Cup history. It followed significant lobbying from Donald Trump and other prominent White House officials.
Fifa’s statement noted, “Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game,” Al Kamali reiterated that in many top-tier leagues governed by Uefa-affiliated associations, the annulment of red cards is a standard disciplinary practice, which has never previously raised alarms about crossing any ‘red line’.
Further clarifying the situation, Fifa emphasized that the red card was not annulled; rather, the committee chose to suspend the consequences of the red card based on a specific provision within the relevant regulations.
The statement did not directly address Trump’s involvement but clarified that the disciplinary committee had acted independently from Fifa’s executive leadership, headed by President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino later issued a statement asserting he had no role in the decision-making process, stating that he only learned of the disciplinary committee’s conclusions after they were made public.
He remarked, “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.”
Belgium remains dissatisfied with Fifa’s ruling and is contemplating pursuing the matter through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
