European Soccer Officials Say Decision to Suspend Ban of US Player Crossed a Red Line

Folarin Balogun of the United States trains at the University of Washington in Seattle on July 5, 2026. Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesTop European soccer officials said July 6 that they oppose FIFA’s decision to suspend a red card ban for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s star striker, Folarin Balogun.The move “crossed a red line,” the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said in a statement ahead of the U.S.–Belgium match on Monday night.The organization’s leaders said that some rules can be open to interpretation, but the red card penalty is not.“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,” the union said.“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake, and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such [a] decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable decision.”Balogun, 25, was handed a red card during the United States’ game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, not long after he scored a goal. The U.S. team won 2–0 to advance to the Round of 16.FIFA rules state that a player who receives a red card is automatically banned from the next match, but also allow a FIFA judicial body to suspend the disciplinary measures, in whole or in part.Teammates and others questioned the red card, issued after Balogun stepped on an opponent’s ankle.FIFA said in a statement over the weekend that it was suspending the ban for one year.“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,” FIFA said.President Donald Trump was among the U.S. officials to thank FIFA, calling the move warranted for Balogun, America’s leading scorer in this World Cup.“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement on Sunday.“Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was astonished by the decision, pointing to a section of FIFA’s World Cup regulations that provides for an automatic ban following a red card.“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the association said.