Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has expressed his opinion on FIFA’s decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban. This decision was made before the USA’s match against Belgium. Blatter, who is currently banned from FIFA activities due to previous corruption investigations, emphasized that red cards should not be overturned due to political influence.
Balogun received a red card for stepping on a defender’s ankle during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was confirmed after a VAR review. Following the incident, it was reported that then-President Donald Trump requested a review of the play from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The decision to reverse the ban was announced shortly after.
Blatter criticized the possibility of political intervention in the decision, stating on X, “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence, and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.”
The controversial decision led Belgium to question FIFA’s reasoning. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed surprise and demanded a detailed explanation. Belgian coach Rudi Garcia mocked the ruling, likening it to an April Fool’s joke in Europe. He emphasized the importance of defending football’s integrity and ethics.
There is no clear indication of how much Trump’s involvement impacted FIFA’s final decision. Meanwhile, UEFA also condemned FIFA’s actions, stating that it “crossed a red line.”
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