When FIFA announced that they'd suspended the red card punishment of US Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun, it set off a firestorm of criticism.European soccer fans, the Belgian national soccer federation, the Union of European Football Associations, and many other commentators were outraged that Balogun's unjust red card had essentially been delayed.Their complaints have been mostly incoherent and illogical, with UEFA's statement in particular being laughably inaccurate.EUROPE IS FURIOUS OVER BALOGUN REPRIEVE BUT FIFA SUSPENDED RED CARD BANS FOR RONALDO AND OTHERS BEFORE THIS"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition," they said.
"Sometimes rules are open to interpretation.In this case not.
A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension."Team USA striker Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)Notably, UEFA had no complaints when Cristian Ronaldo's three-match red card suspension was postponed by FIFA ahead of the World Cup.Under the exact same rule that was used in Balogun's case.But another critique of the process came from those who said that President Donald Trump's involvement was an unacceptable violation of soccer norms.
Essentially, that a politician should not make phone calls to FIFA leadership to question a decision or potentially influence an outcome.British host Piers Morgan was particularly consumed by inaccurate righteous indignation, accusing the USMNT of "cheating" and "not pl...