The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has slammed FIFA’s decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup despite receiving a red card, describing the move as a threat to the integrity of football.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s unprecedented decision to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban while leaving the red card itself in place.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA said.
“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.”
Balogun, who has scored three goals for the United States at the tournament, was sent off after a VAR review during his side’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia.
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The forward was dismissed for dragging his studs down the back of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović.
The controversy intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly appealed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision, arguing that Balogun should be available for the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
FIFA subsequently suspended the enforcement of the striker’s one-match ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing him to feature against Belgium without overturning the original red card.
The decision has also drawn criticism from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which described the ruling as “astonishing” and has reportedly lodged an appeal with FIFA.
