FIFA suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban on Sunday, clearing him to face Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 clash, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision. The move has generated outrage among the soccer community worldwide.
UEFA condemns decision as a 'red line'
UEFA, European soccer's governing body, issued a strong statement: '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. 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.'
Belgian FA cites disciplinary code contradiction
The Royal Belgian Football Association pointed to a conflict within FIFA's own rules: 'FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.'
German FA president demands transparency
German Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf called for clarity: 'FIFA should now issue a prompt statement regarding reports that the decision to overturn the red card shown to the American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a telephone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The impression that there has been active political interference in sport must be dispelled swiftly and conclusively. The integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA are at stake.'
European commissioner warns against political interference
European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef said: 'Many football fans, including former players, have already spoken out about the suspension of Balogun. As a fan, I too believe it was the wrong decision. This said, I have always been clear. Decisions on sporting rules and sporting matters belong to sporting bodies, not politicians. Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport. Our focus should instead be on the real governance challenges facing sport, including the weaponisation of sport for political purposes.'
Belgium coach calls decision 'April Fool's'
Belgium Coach Rudi Garcia reacted with sarcasm: 'I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool's. We are not defending the national team or the federation, we're defending football.'
Sepp Blatter questions FIFA's direction
Former FIFA Chief Sepp Blatter said: 'Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. 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, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.'
England manager calls for consistency
England Manager Thomas Tuchel said: 'First of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card. But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it were then of the opinion that it was a red card. So, it's a decision that's made. Who overturns this decision then and when? And on what grounds? And... How far does this go now? So, it's just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions.'
Norway coach warns of lasting damage
Norway Coach Stale Solbakken said: 'That's a big mistake by FIFA. I think it's not a great conclusion that he's got a yellow, red card, and the VAR concluded that. It was a red card, he was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game, and I think what really is bad about that situation can be that it will be over the United States now, because if they beat Belgium, they will always have that extra thing about it. It's a bad decision that will hurt the World Cup and I feel also sorry for the United States because if they win, it will always be, that will hang in the balance of it, so not good for the sport — bad decision by FIFA.'
Jurgen Klopp says 'this is our sport, not theirs'
Former Liverpool Manager Juergen Klopp said: 'This is our sport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question. These two people, who know nothing about football, should have absolutely nothing to do with this.'
