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Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun, describing the move as a threat to the integrity of football.
Balogun was initially shown a red card during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that automatically carried a one-match suspension. The sanction would have ruled him out of his country’s Round of 32 clash against Belgium.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been overturned, making the striker eligible for the crucial knockout fixture.
Reacting to the decision in a post on X, Blatter questioned the process behind the reversal and warned against any form of political influence in football administration.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote.
“They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.”
The former FIFA chief further suggested that if political intervention influenced the governing body’s decision, it would raise serious concerns about the credibility of the organisation.
“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?“
Blatter concluded by stressing that football should remain free from political interference, adding: “Football must never become a playground for political power.”
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