Former FIFA president criticises Balogun decision, warns against political influence in football

By Sanjay Menon — 6 July 2026 — 4 min read

Former FIFA president Joseph Blatter has publicly questioned the governing body’s decision to lift Folarin Balogun‘s World Cup suspension, cautioning that football should not become a platform for political power. Blatter shared his concerns on X after FIFA overturned Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, which was initially imposed ahead of the United States‘ Round of 16 match against Belgium. This decision followed a personal request from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a review of the red card.

Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, suggested that this incident raises significant questions about the independence of football’s disciplinary processes. He stated that red cards are typically overturned based on rules, evidence, and independent bodies, not political phone calls. The former president’s remarks add to the scrutiny surrounding FIFA’s handling of one of the most debated disciplinary decisions in recent World Cup history.

Balogun received a red card during the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after making contact with Tarik Muharemović‘s ankle. The dismissal, confirmed by a VAR review conducted by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, would have automatically resulted in a one-match suspension. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted under Article 27 of its disciplinary rules. Instead of an immediate ban, Balogun’s suspension was placed on probation for one year. If he commits a similar offence during this period, the suspension will be activated in addition to any further disciplinary action.

The decision garnered widespread attention, especially after President Trump publicly thanked FIFA for reversing what he described as “a great injustice.” In response, Belgium expressed strong disapproval, with the Royal Belgian Football Association stating its astonishment and confirming it was exploring all available options to protect the integrity of the competition. Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also criticised the decision, calling it unprecedented in World Cup history and questioning the message it conveys about the tournament’s disciplinary process.

Coaches React to Balogun Decision

Meanwhile, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s ruling, asserting that Balogun’s initial dismissal was unfair and that his team had already been sufficiently penalised by playing with 10 men for the remainder of the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

England coach Thomas Tuchel also weighed in on the controversy, expressing confusion over the disciplinary process at the World Cup following FIFA’s decision not to ban Balogun. Tuchel highlighted that Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, should have been suspended for the last-16 tie against Belgium. However, FIFA chose not to enforce an immediate suspension, making the co-hosts’ leading goalscorer available to play.

Tuchel’s comments came after Jarell Quansah was sent off in England‘s 3-2 victory over Mexico. When asked if he would petition FIFA to cancel Quansah’s ban before Saturday‘s quarter-final against Norway, Tuchel questioned the consistency of decisions. He asked, “Where does this start and where does this end now? Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What’s going on?” He further added, “Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that.”

Both Balogun and Quansah were dismissed following VAR reviews. Blatter, along with former Uefa president Michel Platini, was cleared of corruption charges related to allegations of fraud at FIFA last year. Blatter has frequently criticised decisions made during Infantino’s presidency, reiterating his stance that “Football must never become a playground for political power.”

The other 12 players who received red cards in the 2026 World Cup, excluding Balogun, have served a suspension for at least their country’s next match. FIFA’s decision to enact a clause in its disciplinary code allowing it to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure” contradicts the tournament’s regulations, which state that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s subsequent match. Tuchel believes this intervention, which is unprecedented in the World Cup since automatic bans for red cards were introduced, has created uncertainty regarding the rules.

Tuchel further questioned the grounds for overturning such decisions and how far this precedent might extend. He emphasised the need for consistency in decisions, stating, “We just want to have consistency in the decisions.” Reports have suggested that the U.S. questioned the use of slow-motion replays in the VAR review, though VAR protocol was reportedly followed correctly. Tuchel highlighted the VAR process in his defence of Quansah, noting that the foul was not initially given in the game, and VAR’s decision to overturn it based on a still image was problematic. The controversy continues to be a major talking point of the tournament, with the Royal Belgian Football Association stating that it is investigating all available options to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in the sport.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com