Posted on 07/06/2026 7:08:30 AM PDT by RandFan
Uefa has strongly criticised Fifa's shock decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's automatic ban at this World Cup, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".
United States striker Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, should have served a suspension for the last-16 tie against Belgium. (Tuesday)
But World Cup organisers Fifa, the governing body of world football, opted not to enforce an immediate sanction on the 25-year-old, meaning the co-hosts' leading goalscorer will be available to play.
Uefa, European football's governing body, said that intervening to effectively cancel a suspension at a tournament "crossed a red line".
Of the 188 other red cards at the World Cup, only one other player has escaped a suspension.
That was Brazil's Garrincha in 1962, which was before automatic bans were in place and it was shrouded in allegations of political interference.
The BBC's US media partner CBS News has confirmed that Balogun's reinstatement came after US president Donald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino on Thursday and spoke about the suspension.
On Sunday, President Trump thanked Fifa for "reversing a great injustice".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
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“player is black...”
That’s quite common in European soccer nowadays.
BUUUUTTTTT no one said chit about Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension being lifted for the first two games of the Groups.
Truth.
The red card was egregiously wrong and the video makes it obvious. The ref in question has been suspected before about rigging games for his choice of red cards in the past.
In truth what FIFA did was right a wrong and make the game fairer.
I think Belgium will rule in our favor, but Trump should station some Marines outside the FIFA HQ in Zürich and have an A-10 circle around a few times just in case they don't get the message.
Fifa which saw its board collapse under corruption tried to derail us because as all leftists they hate America. They used an obviously bad call to make their play and it failed.
Any questions?
Another reason I can’t follow soccer
The penalties often seem random.
This “red card” penalty Balogun received was for accidentally stepping on an opposing players ankle as they were both trying to get the ball.
It seemed ridiculous
“The integrity was at stake when he got the red card in the first place.”
Bingo. It was a bad call. There should not have been any card, red or yellow. Red cards should be given for falling down and pretending to be injured.
With a minute to go, one of the Mexicans appeared to have a real ankle injury when it became ten on ten. He and the English player went after the ball just outside the box. Play carried on as he dragged himself off the field, was attended by the medics, and was there until full time was reached. I thought for certain a video review was going to happen and somehow Mexico given another chance to tie the game. Many of the fouls called, and not called, give rise to suspicions that some teams are more equal than others.
England had three opponents last evening - Mexican team, the stadium's elevation, and the officiating. I'm delighted they overcame all three.
America sucks at soccer or futbol or whatever the hell they call it now. The Europeans keep telling us this time and time again. If that’s the case why should Belgium be worried if Balogun plays or not? It’s because Trump was involved and Balogun is on Team USA. Just another opportunity for the world to cry and moan about Trump and America!!!
Europe has a history of cheating the US....last time was the winter Olympics 👇
“US figure skating makes Olympics appeal decision after French judging controversy”
It was a yellow card foul, not red.
The US had to play with "one hand tied behind its back" due to the poor judgement of a ref who issued the red card AFTER review.
If a Red card foul isn't called without review it is immediately suspect, they are supposed to be obvious.
Red Card from a slow-motion replay review of multiple angles.
Integrity indeed.
Every soccer analyst I’ve seen here and in Europe have all said Balogun should have never been issued a red card in the first place. Bottom line is if it wasn’t an American player involved none of this would be an issue and we all know it.
That's the only way to explain that horrendous call.
Remember when they were concerned about this one prior to the world cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Had the final two games of a three-match ban deferred to a probationary period, allowing him to play in the tournament.
UEFA and FIFA can work this out I don’t care. And the integrity of the game? C’mon!
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