UEFA cries foul on FIFA's Balogun ban reversal
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Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic react to Balogun receiving a red card during the World Cup Round of 32 match. Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
The Union of European Football Associations said FIFA "crossed a red line" by lifting U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension.
Why it matters: UEFA, which represents most of Europe's soccer federations, came out swinging after FIFA reversed course — a move that followed President Trump's call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino demanding answers about why the U.S. star had been sidelined.
What they're saying: "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," UEFA said in a statement posted to its website.
- "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."
- A one-match ban after a red card isn't a "discretionary option," UEFA said, and that rule can't be lifted mid-tournament while other players serve their suspensions.
- "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. … We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
U.S. Soccer did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Catch up quick: Balogun was shown a red card against Bosnia on Wednesday after his cleat caught a defender's leg and slid down toward the ankle as he chased a loose ball.
- He was only given the red card after a video review.
- Balogun has either scored or assisted in every game he's played, so losing him would have left the U.S. without its most dangerous attacker against Belgium.
- Trump called Infantino, and FIFA lifted the ban for a one-year probationary period, causing some fans to decry political meddling.
Zoom in: "So I saw the play, and I'm a person that loves sports and … I understand sports really well, really well, and that wasn't a foul," Trump told reporters Monday morning.
- "That wasn't even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other."
- "When they take your best player, or just about … and they say you can't play, that's very unfair. It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn't been played yet. It's very unfair. You can't do that."
- "So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."
What we're watching: Balogun is expected to suit up Monday night against Belgium at 8pm ET in Seattle.
- Winning would send the U.S. to its first quarterfinal since 2002.
- The winner's next-round matchup will be against one of two heavyweights: Spain or Portugal.
- Here's how to watch.
Go deeper: Trump called FIFA's Infantino over Balogun suspension
Editor's note: This story has been updated with President Trump's comments.
