The European Football Union (UEFA) issued a statement today condemning the decision of the World Football Federation (FIFA) to alter the suspension of American Folarin Balogun and called it “crossing the red line.”
“Yesterday’s decision on a one-year probationary period for the execution of an automatic one-match suspension following a red card issued to player Folarin Balogun crossed the red line,” the UEFA statement begins.
UEFA statement on the Balogun case: ⬇️https://t.co/9LQDx8waKe
— UEFA (@UEFA) July 6, 2026
Balogun received a direct red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but instead of an automatic suspension, FIFA changed his penalty to a suspended one.
UEFA added that football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest, and transparent competition.
“Sometimes the rules are open to interpretation. In this case, no. The minimum automatic suspension of one match after a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require a decision by the competent body. It is a principle embedded in the regulations, which cannot be subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players were in the same situation and regularly served their suspensions. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustified decision,” UEFA added.
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Source: Tanjug; Photo: Printscreen X