July 6 (Reuters) – European soccer body UEFA has lashed out at FIFA’s decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban in the World Cup, after U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA to ask it to review the case, saying world soccer’s governing body had “crossed a red line” and undermined the integrity of the game.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA said in a statement on Monday.
“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.”
Reuters has reached out to FIFA for comment.
Balogun, who has scored three goals for the U.S. in the tournament, was sent off after a VAR review for dragging his cleats down the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg and onto his foot during their win over Bosnia in the round of 32.
Trump had asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, which would have automatically suspended the player from Monday’s round of 16 clash with Belgium.
FIFA suspended the implementation of the ban for a probationary period of one year, however, without rescinding the red card.
The stunning move has thrust FIFA’s disciplinary process into the spotlight and prompted an angry response from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision.
The Athletic reported that the RBFA has written to FIFA to lodge an appeal in the matter.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
