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Sports / Football

FIFA have "crossed a red line" in Balogun reprieve: UEFA

Published: 06 Jul 2026 - 01:06 pm | Last Updated: 06 Jul 2026 - 01:07 pm
Peninsula

AFP

Lausanne: FIFA "crossed a red line" with the controversial decision to suspend US star Folarin Balogun's one game ban for a year, European football's governing body UEFA said on Monday.

FIFA's ruling, which came after the intervention of Donald Trump, permits Balogun to play in the co-hosts last 16 match with Belgium later on Monday.

"Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," read UEFA's statement.