UEFA have joined those speaking out against FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban, calling the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.
Folarin Balogun received a red card in the USA’s last match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with no right of appeal, it seemed as though the former Arsenal striker would have no choice but to miss his team’s next game against Belgium.
Yet in an unexpected move, FIFA stepped in and suspended the ban for the next 12 months, making Balogun available to play the Belgium match.
The reasons for the decision have not been released, but multiple sources report that U.S. President Donald Trump was in Gianni Infantino’s ear pushing for the call to be reversed.
Understandably, that news has prompted a widespread backlash from players, coaches, former players, and pundits.
Already, France are looking into trying to get Michael Olise’s ban overturned, and Thomas Tuchel has suggested England will look into Jarell Quansah’s. And why not? All bets are seemingly off, the rules are now optional.
UEFA have now weighed in, strongly criticising FIFA over the red-card decision.
UEFA wrote: “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.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
The Athletic report that Belgium have been granted the right to appeal against FIFA’s decision, less than 24 hours before the actual game.
Though as the reasons for the initial decision haven’t been made public, the appeal will be a blind appeal without Belgium knowing the evidence they’re arguing against.
A member of the FIFA appeals committee has been selected to hear the case, and submissions must be made by Monday morning. A ruling before the actual game is described as “possible” but not guaranteed.
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