Nyon, July 6: UEFA has launched a scathing attack on FIFA over its decision to overturn the automatic suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, warning that the move threatens the integrity and credibility of the FIFA World Cup.
Balogun, who was sent off during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was expected to serve the tournament’s mandatory one-match suspension in the last-16 clash against Belgium. However, FIFA suspended the sanction, allowing the 25-year-old to remain available for selection.In a strongly worded statement on Monday, European football’s governing body described the ruling as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable,” arguing that automatic suspensions following red cards are a fundamental principle of the competition’s regulations rather than a matter of discretion.“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,” UEFA said.The organisation also warned that the decision could create an unwanted precedent during the ongoing tournament, forcing FIFA to treat similar future cases in the same manner.The controversy has intensified following reports by CBS News that United States President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino about Balogun’s suspension before the disciplinary committee reached its decision. Trump later thanked FIFA on social media for what he called the reversal of “a great injustice.” (Agencies)
