FIFA Faces Backlash Over Folarin Balogun's Controversial Suspension U-Turn

A highly controversial decision has the football community up in arms.

UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, released a statement on Monday questioning FIFA over its “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to allow Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s USMNT game against Belgium.

In the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, Balogun received a controversial red card, which is automatically accompanied by a one-game suspension.

However, on Sunday, under article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the soccer governing body suspended the punishment, allowing him to play.

In its statment, UEFA said that soccer relies on an agreed upon set of rules and that the automatic suspension is not a “discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.”

President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and assembled a team of lawyers to challenge the red card ruling.

The lawyers argue that the red card review process violated FIFA rules, specifically challenging the use of slow-motion instant replay.

FIFA’s independent committee reviewed the decision and ruled that the card was wrongfully issued, suspending the punishment.

“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,” UEFA wrote.

“Equally, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.”

They continued by saying soccer is the most loved sport in the world, and a ruling like this “has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.”

Most of the soccer world outside the United States reacted negatively to the ruling issued 24 hours before the Round of 16 match.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia said he didn’t know that “5 July was equal to 1 April at FIFA” and that he and his team will not only defend their country on Monday but also soccer and its ethics.

Belgium can appeal the ruling until 8 a.m ET