Uefa lashes out at Fifa over ‘incomprehensible’ Folarin Balogun ruling

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEuropean football's governing body, Uefa, has launched a scathing attack on Fifa's decision to suspend the one-match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun, declaring it "crossed a red line" and was "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable". Fifa's controversial ruling means Balogun, who received a red card during the last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, is now eligible to play against Belgium in the last 16, unless an appeal by the Belgian Football Association proves successful. Uefa expressed its "disbelief" at the decision, highlighting that the automatic one-match suspension for a red card is a fundamental principle embedded in regulations and should not be subject to exceptions, particularly in the middle of a tournament where other players have served their bans. The governing body warned that such a decision undermines the integrity of the game and the credibility of the competition, setting a dangerous precedent that could lead to demands for equal treatment in similar future situations, thereby impacting the sport as a whole. The controversy has sparked widespread outrage, with the Belgian FA expressing astonishment, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likening the decision to an April Fool's joke, while US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for "reversing a great injustice". In fullUefa claims Fifa ‘crossed a red line’ after ‘unjustifiable’ decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s banMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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