Former FIFA president Joseph “Sepp” Blatter has publicly questioned football’s governing body following the controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, warning that the sport should not be influenced by political power.Blatter shared his views on X after FIFA overturned Balogun’s automatic one-match ban ahead of the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium, a decision that came after US President Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card.The former FIFA chief, who served as the organization’s president from 1998 to 2015, suggested the episode raised serious concerns about the independence of football’s disciplinary process.
Posted by Joseph Blatter:
“Red cards are not denied by political phone calls. They are denied by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a US President intervenes with the President of FIFA – and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match – the question cannot be avoided: Quo vadis, FIFA?“Football should not become a playground for political power.”Balogun was shown a red card during the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after catching Tarik Muharemović on the ankle. The dismissal, issued after a VAR review by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, automatically triggered a one-match suspension.However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted under Article 27 of its disciplinary rules. Instead of serving an immediate ban, Balogun’s suspension was reduced to probation for one year. If he commits a similar offense during that period, the suspension will be activated in addition to any further disciplinary action.The decision gained widespread attention after Trump praised FIFA for overturning what he described as “a great injustice.”Belgium reacted angrily to the decision, with the Royal Belgian Football Association saying it was “surprised” and confirming it was examining all available options to protect the integrity of the competition.Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also criticized the decision, describing it as unprecedented in World Cup history and questioning the message it sent about the tournament’s disciplinary process.Meanwhile, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s decision, maintaining that Balogun’s original dismissal was unfair and argued that his team had been punished enough by playing with 10 men for the rest of the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.The controversy has become one of the tournament’s biggest talking points, with Blatter’s comments adding further scrutiny to FIFA’s handling of one of the most debated disciplinary decisions in recent World Cup history.