European soccer body UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup against Belgium on Monday despite a red card in his previous game.
Background
Balogun was sent off directly for planting his cleated foot on the ankle of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during a 2-0 win for the U.S. in the round of 32 last Wednesday. That kind of challenge has been a routine red card all season in competitions worldwide, and Balogun could have expected a two-game ban for serious foul play.
UEFA said in a statement FIFA “crossed a red line” with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban, after the world soccer body came under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reaction
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said, “It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup.” The Belgian soccer federation was preparing an appeal in Seattle to challenge the Balogun ruling before a FIFA-appointed appeals judge.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
