UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA after the world football governing body suspended the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, making him eligible to feature in Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
The decision has sparked controversy across the football world, with UEFA warning that FIFA’s action threatens the integrity and consistency of the tournament’s disciplinary process.
Balogun, 25, received a straight red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after his challenge caught defender Tarik Muharemovic on the ankle. Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension would instead be placed on probation for one year under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. FIFA did not provide a detailed explanation for the unprecedented decision.
UEFA responded with a strongly worded statement, accusing FIFA of undermining the competition’s disciplinary framework.
“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.
The European governing body argued that an automatic suspension following a red card is a mandatory sanction, not a discretionary measure.
“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, especially in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.”
