FIFA have 'crossed a red line' in Balogun reprieve: UEFA
- Last updated: July 6, 2026 | 13:51
Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. Reuters
FIFA "crossed a red line" with the controversial decision to suspend US star Folarin Balogun's one game ban for a year, European football's governing body UEFA said on Monday.
FIFA's ruling, which came after the intervention of Donald Trump, permits Balogun to play in the co-hosts last 16 match with Belgium later on Monday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in the stands. Reuters
"Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," read UEFA's statement.
Agence France-Presse