Today, UEFA issued a statement opposing FIFA's decision regarding Balogun. The 25-year-old striker received a direct red card for stomping on an opponent's ankle during the victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 32 match on 1/7, which typically incurs a one-match suspension.

However, FIFA subsequently activated a rarely used clause in its disciplinary code, postponing the one-year suspension. This allowed Balogun to be eligible for the match against Belgium in the round of 16. The 25-year-old striker has scored three goals, making him the top scorer for the United States national football team at the 2026 World Cup.

US striker Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the match between the United States and Bosnia & Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup round of 32, at San Francisco Bay Area stadium in the US, 1/7. *Photo: AP*

UEFA argues that FIFA overstepped by interfering with a mandatory rule. "FIFA's decisions on 5/7 regarding the postponement of Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match suspension crossed a red line," the statement began.

UEFA emphasized that football laws are fundamental to ensuring the fairness, transparency, and integrity of competitions. While some regulations may be open to interpretation, the rule mandating a minimum one-match suspension following a red card is not.

"Like all other sports, football is based on rules – the foundation of fair competition, integrity, and transparency," the European football confederation added. "Sometimes rules can be interpreted. But not in this case. An automatic minimum one-match suspension after a red card is not an arbitrary option and does not require approval from any authority to take effect."

According to Reuters, President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's suspension. Immediately after FIFA announced its decision on 5/7, President Trump posted on his personal page, thanking the world's largest football governing body "for doing the right thing and reversing a major injustice."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) presents the FIFA Peace Award to US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C., US, 5/12/2025. *Photo: AP*

UEFA stated that suspending players who receive red cards in the subsequent match is a principle clearly stipulated in the regulations. It cannot be an exception, especially mid-tournament when many other players have already served similar suspensions. "When the certainty of the rules is no longer guaranteed by those who protect them, the integrity of football is threatened and the reputation of the tournament is diminished," UEFA added.

The European football confederation believes FIFA has set a dangerous precedent for the remainder of the World Cup. Similar cases will subsequently need to be treated like Balogun's, affecting the fairness of the competition. "Football is the world's most beloved sport because of its beauty and is trusted because it is played everywhere by the same set of rules," the statement continued. "At the World Cup, every decision can have a positive or negative impact on the entire sport."

The statement concluded with strong criticism: "We are incredulous at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable decision."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) converses with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin after a speech at UEFA's 50th Annual Congress in Brussels, Belgium, 12/2. *Photo: AFP*

The UEFA statement highlights increasing tension between UEFA and FIFA. The two most powerful organizations in world football have long held disagreements on how to govern the sport.

FIFA's decision also faced strong reactions from Belgium. Their Football Association stated it is considering all possible options to protest. Coach Rudi Garcia quipped: "I don't know if 5/7 at FIFA is equivalent to April Fools' Day on 1/4."

This is not the first time FIFA has controversially postponed part of a player's suspension. In November 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo also had his ban reduced from three matches to one, with two matches suspended for one year, after a red card in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. At that time, FIFA also cited Article 27 in the Disciplinary Code to partially suspend the penalty, a decision that helped the Portugal captain not miss any matches in this year's World Cup.

Hoang An (based on UEFA report)