'Crossed a red line': UEFA slams FIFA as Belgium appeals Balogun decision

European football's governing body UEFA has criticised FIFA for suspending the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun following his red card at the FIFA World Cup, calling the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable."

The controversy erupted after FIFA allowed Balogun to play in the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous knockout match.

The decision came after US President Donald Trump publicly urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the dismissal.

UEFA said the move undermined football's rules and could damage the credibility of both the World Cup and the sport itself.

UEFA says FIFA 'crossed a red line'

In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said FIFA had "crossed a red line" by suspending the automatic one-match suspension that normally follows a red card.

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It said football depends on clear and consistently applied rules to ensure fair competition. According to UEFA, an automatic suspension after a red card is mandatory under the regulations and is not subject to interpretation or discretionary decisions.

The organisation argued that making an exception in the middle of a World Cup was unfair to other players who had already served suspensions under the same rules. It also warned that the decision creates a precedent, making it difficult for FIFA to deny similar requests in future matches.

"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," UEFA said.

Belgium challenges FIFA decision

Belgium has formally appealed against FIFA's decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on Balogun, less than 24 hours before the two teams face each other in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it had "no alternative but to challenge" Balogun's eligibility for the upcoming match.

According to The Athletic, Belgium has been granted the right to appeal FIFA's decision, adding another layer to the growing controversy surrounding the governing body's handling of the case.

How the controversy began

Balogun was sent off during the United States' Round of 32 victory over Bosnia after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review found that he had dragged his studs down the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic's leg and onto his foot.

Under FIFA regulations, the dismissal automatically carried a one-match suspension, ruling him out of the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

However, after Trump appealed directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the decision, FIFA suspended the implementation of the ban for a one-year probationary period while leaving the red card itself unchanged.

The decision allowed Balogun to feature against Belgium and marked what appeared to be the first instance since 1962 in which a World Cup red card did not result in an automatic suspension.

Growing criticism of FIFA

The move has sparked criticism from several quarters. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision, while UEFA warned that inconsistent application of the rules could have lasting consequences for football.

Trump, however, welcomed the decision and thanked FIFA on social media, saying it had corrected "a great injustice."