{"id":1039,"date":"2026-07-06T17:13:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T17:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aluremart.com\/?p=1039"},"modified":"2026-07-06T17:13:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T17:13:23","slug":"fifa-facing-intense-folarin-balogun-backlash-as-uefa-slams-unjustifiable-suspension-decision-by-collin-ward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aluremart.com\/?p=1039","title":{"rendered":"FIFA facing intense Folarin Balogun backlash as UEFA slams \u2018unjustifiable\u2019 suspension decision By Collin Ward"},"content":{"rendered":"

A highly controversial decision has the football community up in arms.<\/p>\n

UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations,\u00a0released a statement\u00a0<\/a>on Monday questioning FIFA over its \u201cunprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision\u201d to allow Folarin Balogun to play in Monday\u2019s USMNT game against Belgium.<\/p>\n

In the USA\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\"United3<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
USMNT\u2019s Folarin Balogun was given a red card for this play.AP Photo\/Martin Meissner<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, on Sunday, under article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code,\u00a0the soccer governing body suspended the punishment,<\/a>\u00a0allowing him to play.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

In its statment, UEFA said that soccer relies on an agreed upon set of rules and that the automatic suspension is not a \u201cdiscretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.\u201d<\/p>\n