Fifa Disciplinary Committee takes swipe at Uefa over criticism of Folarin Balogun ban decision

Fifa has dismissed criticism from Uefa after being accused of “crossing a red line” in its handling of Folarin Balogun ’s red card and suspending the one-game ban to enable the USA striker to play in the World Cup last 16 tie against Belgium. The decision by FIFA Disciplinary Committee to alter the punishment for the USA forward after committing “serious foul play” to earn a red card against Bosnia in the last 32 has been widely criticised. And US President Donald Trump admitted that he intervened and encouraged Fifa President Gianni Infantino to review the incident in a bit to reverse the suspension. Fifa maintains that it did not reverse the referee’s on-field sending-off, instead enforcing a one-match suspension “to be suspended for a probationary period of one year.” But after a stinging statement from Uefa, Fifa has hit back and accused the European governing body of contradicting their own rules. A statement said: “In the majority of top-tier leagues belonging to Uefa-affiliated member associations – the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure,” stated the Fifa Disciplinary Committee. “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.” Balogun was also fined $40,000, with the U.S. Soccer Federation jointly liable to pay half of the sum, while the one-match ban remains dormant for the probationary period and “will only be activated if he commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during that one-year period.” FIFA Disciplinary Committee also explained its power to suspend for a probationary period of one year the implementation of the automatic match suspension after“considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available.” Folarin Balogun can play against Belgium (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) It also maintains it is able to alter the punishment, like it did with Cristiano Ronaldo, “so long as they do not relate to match manipulation—which, of course, did not occur here. It should be added that employment of art. 27 FDC is not unprecedented, as similar decisions have previously been issued during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.” While Fifa President Gianni Infantino added: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance. “FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected. “Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold. Donald Trump admitted to speaking to Fifa about Balogun's ban (Getty) “I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”