#广场预测世界杯赢40000U UEFA's latest statement slams FIFA: "Amnesty" for US player Balogun crosses the red line, calling the unprecedented, baffling, and unjustified decision incomprehensible

UEFA issued a statement on the 6th stating that FIFA's decision to suspend the ban on US player Balogun, who was shown a red card, crosses the red line. UEFA stated that football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the foundation of fair, just, and transparent competition. An automatic suspension of at least one match after a red card is not discretionary and does not require approval from any governing body. This is a principle clearly stipulated in the rules, and there can be no exceptions. When the certainty of the rules is no longer guaranteed by those who uphold them, the fairness of the competition is threatened, and the credibility of the game is undermined. Similarly, such a decision would set a precedent in an ongoing tournament, requiring equal treatment for similar situations in the future, which is harmful and detrimental to the game itself. UEFA expressed its incomprehension at this unprecedented, baffling, and unjustified decision.

Previous report: On July 5 local time in the United States, FIFA announced that Balogun, the US team's star forward who received a red card in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup and was supposed to be suspended for the Round of 16 match, would have his one-match ban deferred for one year, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium. This sparked widespread discussion, with countless fans expressing shock. On July 1, 2026, local time, in Santa Clara, California, USA, during the match between the US team and Bosnia and Herzegovina, US player No. 20 Balogun was shown a red card and sent off. (Source: Visual China)
Balogun performed exceptionally well in this World Cup: In the first group stage match, where the US beat Paraguay 4-1, he scored a brace; in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun scored to help the US secure a 2-0 victory and advance. However, in the second half, he was shown a red card by the referee for stepping on the ankle of Bosnia player Muharemovic. According to regulations, Balogun should have been suspended for the next match against Belgium, but FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to decide that Balogun's one-match ban would be deferred for one year.
FIFA stated in its announcement: "The execution of this match suspension is deferred for one year, entering a probationary period. If Folarin Balogun commits a similar violation of the same nature and severity during the probationary period, this deferral decision will be revoked, and the original punishment will be enforced, without prejudice to any additional penalties imposed for the new violation." After the announcement, it caused an uproar. This is the first time since the introduction of the red and yellow card system at the 1970 World Cup that a player who received a red card could still play in the next round. Upon hearing the news, US President Donald Trump said on social media: "Thank you FIFA for making the right decision and correcting a huge injustice."
According to sources cited by multiple media outlets including the Associated Press, Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's red card. On December 5, 2025, local time, in Washington, DC, USA, at the Kennedy Center, during the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, US President Donald Trump received the first-ever FIFA Peace Award from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. (Source: Visual China)
The biggest "victim" of this decision, the Belgian Football Association, immediately issued an official statement expressing shock at FIFA's decision. The Belgian FA pointed out that although Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code allows the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to defer the execution of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction, it contradicts Article 66.4 of the same code, which states that "a player sent off due to a red card is automatically suspended for the next match." Balogun's US teammates also found it unbelievable. Team defender Richards said that everyone initially thought it was AI-generated "fake news": "We were on the bus heading to training, and after we got off, we found out it was real!" Another US player, Pulisic, said that the decision would provide a huge boost to the team.
French newspaper L'Équipe's voice represents the concerns of the media. They reported that Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code was likely established after Infantino took control of FIFA, as it was not found in the disciplinary regulations before 2019. "From now on, any team punished with a red card will try to use this case to gain leverage for themselves, making it difficult for FIFA to maintain consistency."
L'Équipe commented. It is worth noting that Balogun is not the first player to benefit from Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. On November 13, 2025, local time, in Dublin, Ireland, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group F match, Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a red card and sent off.
Ronaldo was shown a red card for elbowing an opponent during the 2025 World Cup qualifiers, and was initially given an additional punishment of a three-match suspension. However, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee later decided on a "probation" decision, with Ronaldo only serving a one-match suspension and the other two matches deferred for one year, allowing him to avoid suspension during the group stage of this World Cup, which also sparked criticism.