The former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed his successor Gianni Infantino over their controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match World Cup ban
Sepp Blatter has taken aim at Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino(Image: Sathiri Kelpa/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Sepp Blatter has called out FIFA over its decision to suspend a ban on Folarin Balogun after reportedly receiving a call from Donald Trump. The football governing body’s former president has slammed his successor, Gianni Infantino, over claims that the United States president intervened.
Balogun is now able to play for the US in their round-of-16 tie against Belgium. That is despite the forward facing an automatic one-game ban after being sent off in their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before receiving a red card, Balogun scored the opening goal in that 2-0 win. He is the only American player who has scored more than once at this tournament, also striking twice in the opening match against Paraguay.
Blatter posted on X on Monday: (formerly Twitter): “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.
“If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?” Quo vadis means ‘Where are you going?’ in Latin. “Football must never become a playground for political power. #FIFA #WorldCup #GianniInfantino #DonaldTrump”
FIFA confirmed the decision on Sunday. Their Disciplinary Committee said in a statement: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
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“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
Trump responded to the U-Turn on Truth Social. He said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code reads: “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.
“If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
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