European football governing body UEFA Criticized FIFA on Monday for allowing US striker Folarin Balogun to play in Tuesday’s match (IST) fifa world cup Despite receiving a red card in the last game, in the round of 16 against Belgium.In a statement, UEFA called FIFA’s move an “incomprehensible and unreasonable decision” and said the world body had “crossed a red line”.“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. But not in this case,” UEFA said, adding that “the integrity of the game was at stake and the credibility of the game was compromised.”“An automatic suspension of at least one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of the competent authority to be activated. This is a principle in the regulations and cannot make exceptions, not to mention that during the course of the game several other players found themselves in the same situation and received bans on a regular basis,” UEFA said in a statement.FIFA unexpectedly suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban on Sunday, making the U.S. forward available for the World Cup last-16 match against Belgium, a decision that drew praise from the U.S. president Donald Trump And sparked the wrath of the Red Devils.The Associated Press later reported that U.S. President Donald Trump personally intervened to help Balogun have his suspension lifted.Balogun, who scored three goals for the U.S., was shown a red card Wednesday after his right ankle was injured in the U.S.’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. A red card will trigger an automatic one-match suspension.However, FIFA decided to suspend the punishment.“The imposition of the suspension is suspended for one year,” FIFA announced. “If Folarin Balogun commits another violation of a similar nature and severity during the probation period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction imposed, without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new violation.”The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “surprised”.“This decision is in direct conflict with the provisions of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup Competition Rules,” it said in a statement. “To safeguard the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this World Cup and at future events, the RBFA is investigating all possible options.”Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s actions.“I didn’t know in the FIFA offices that July 5th was April 1st in Europe,” Garcia said in an April Fool’s comparison through a translator.
