UEFA Say FIFA Ruling on Balogun Threatens Integrity of the Game
UEFA have issued a strongly worded statement criticizing FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun case, describing the decision to suspend the striker’s red card ban as ‘unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.’
The controversy erupted after FIFA allowed Belgium to appeal the ruling, following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Balogun, who was sent off earlier in the tournament, is now expected to feature for the United States in their round of 16 clash against Belgium.
In its statement, UEFA said: ‘Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. 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.’
UEFA added that FIFA’s decision ‘put the integrity of the game at stake,’ noting that other players in similar situations had served their suspensions without exception.
The statement continued: ‘Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws.
‘A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.’
