European Union and UEFA criticize FIFA for revoking US player's red card

The European Union and UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, criticized FIFA this Monday (6) for revoking the red card given to US player Folarin Balogun during the North American team's last match at the World Cup. President of the United States, Donald Trump, and President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, pose for a photo with the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, at the White House. Photo from August 2025. Disclosure/White House The president of the United States, Donald Trump, contacted directly the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, to "better understand the reason" for the red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, last Wednesday (1). According to a US official, Trump spoke with Infantino about the reason for the suspension applied to the player, who would be out of the game against Belgium. The match, valid for the round of 16, takes place on Monday (5), at 9pm (Brasília time). For TV Globo, the US authority stated that the US government "provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process". The authority also highlighted that the appeals process is led by an independent board. ? Folarin Balogun, from the USA, receives a red card from referee Raphael Claus. Phil Noble / Reuters ? After reviewing the move in VAR, referee Raphael Claus sent off Balogun in the 18th minute of the final stage. The striker received a red card for stepping on Muharemovic's ankle. On social media, the president congratulated FIFA and said that the body reversed a great injustice. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!", published the president. Donald Trump congratulates FIFA for reversing the red card given to a US striker during the 2026 World Cup. Reproduction During a press conference this Sunday (5), the coach of the North American team, Mauricio Pochettino, celebrated the decision. "We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina by playing with one less for 30 minutes, in a completely unfair decision. And not just because I'm the coach of the United States national team and I need to defend my side. It's because I believe that 99.9% of people agree that that red card was unfair," said the Argentine coach. What led to the suspension of the red card? In practice, Balogun's suspension was converted into a one-year probationary period. If he commits another serious offense in that interval, the automatic punishment is revoked and he will have to comply with the sanction. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee used article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to free the attacker. The text provides that the body may "totally or partially suspend the application of a disciplinary measure". Follow the 2026 World Cup on ge: 2026 World Cup Simulator 2026 World Cup Calendar: see dates and times of all games RESULTS: check the World Cup table Norway coach criticizes FIFA's decision to release Balogun after expulsion: "A tremendous mistake" Belgian federation complains about the decision Folarin Balogun, from the USA, during a game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Phil Noble / Reuters The Belgian Football Federation was not happy with the suspension of the red card. In an official statement, the institution expressed "surprise" that Balogun will be able to play in the next match. The Belgians argue that "Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (expulsion) automatically results in suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued during this World Cup." The Belgian football governing body also pointed out that the striker's release directly contradicts Article 10.5 of the 2026 World Cup Regulations, reinforcing that the punishment should be automatic. According to the Belgians, this rule was reaffirmed by FIFA in circulars and official meetings before each match of the tournament. Under the claim of protecting the fundamental principles of "fair play" and the rights of the participating teams, the Belgian federation said it is already investigating all potential options in the case.