European soccer’s governing body UEFA issued a strong statement on July 6, 2026, condemning FIFA's decision to suspend the one-game red card ban for USA World Cup player Folarin Balogun ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium. UEFA said the move "crossed a red line," emphasizing that football relies on consistent rules that ensure fair and transparent competition. They noted that automatic suspensions following red cards are mandatory and not subject to exceptions, especially mid-tournament where other players have served similar suspensions.

Balogun received the red card during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on a defender's ankle while contesting the ball, a call that was widely viewed as harsh and controversial. The use of slow-motion replay by VAR to recommend the red card was criticized by referees as inconsistent with VAR protocols, which should focus only on point-of-contact.

FIFA suspended Balogun's automatic suspension by invoking Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), placing the suspension on probation for one year. This unprecedented decision came after a reported phone call from then-President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging a review of the play. Trump, along with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani, assembled a legal team to challenge the red card decision.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who remains banned from FIFA activities until 2027 following corruption investigations, criticized the organization’s handling of the case and questioned FIFA's integrity. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also mocked FIFA’s ruling. UEFA expressed concern that such interventions and decisions could set troubling precedents and undermine trust in the sport’s governance.

Sources