European soccer is in an uproar over allegations that U.S. President Donald Trump interfered with a International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) ruling.
On Monday, UEFA released a statement criticizing FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban on U.S. soccer team forward Folarin Balogun, who was red-carded during the World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. UEFA asserted that FIFA had crossed a red line with this unprecedented move.
The European soccer governing body expressed deep concern over what it termed an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable decision. UEFA emphasized that if the organization responsible for enforcing the rules can no longer ensure their consistency, it jeopardizes the integrity of the game and undermines the credibility of the tournament.
Earlier, U.S. media outlets, including The New York Times, reported that President Trump had personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s suspension.
Balogun had played a crucial role in the U.S. victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 but was sent off in the second half for stepping on an opponent’s foot.
Typically, World Cup regulations dictate that a player receiving a red card is automatically suspended for the next match. However, in an unusual move, FIFA decided to defer the enforcement of Balogun’s ban. This decision allows Balogun to be eligible for the Round of 16 match against Belgium on Tuesday.
Belgium’s national team coach, Rudi Garcia, reacted with disbelief upon hearing the news of FIFA’s decision, stating that he thought it was April Fool’s Day.
In an interview with Politico, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot criticized the decision, saying that if such an incomprehensible ruling resulted from a single phone call, it undermines the fundamental principles of soccer and sports as a whole.