Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has questioned FIFA’s independence following claims that the red card issued to Folarin Balogun was overturned after intervention by Donald Trump.
Folarin Balogun was given a straight red card during the 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup. The infraction occurred after he inadvertently stepped on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović, resulting in a controversial straight red card.
Reacting to reports that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino before Balogun was cleared to play in the United States’ World Cup knockout match, Blatter insisted that disciplinary decisions should be guided solely by football regulations.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies,” Blatter said.
The former FIFA president warned that any perception of political influence over disciplinary rulings would undermine the integrity of world football.
“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?” he added.
Blatter stressed that football “must never become a playground for political power,” as debate continues over the circumstances surrounding Balogun’s successful appeal against his suspension.
