Balogun decision could lead to football ‘cesspit’Image source, ReutersImage caption, Fifa allowed striker Folarin Balogun to play in USA’s last-16 loss to Belgium despite his red card in the previous gamePublished1 hour agoUefa vice-president Laura McAllister says there is a risk of “an absolute cesspit” of political interference in football after Folarin Balogun avoided a ban at the World Cup.Balogun was expected to be suspended for the USA’s last-16 tie against Belgium after his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.But the Monaco striker played against the Belgians after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa following an intervention by US President Donald Trump.
Fifa’s decision led to widespread criticism, with Trump saying he had personally asked for a review of Balogun’s dismissal because he “didn’t think it was a foul”.
Uefa, European football’s governing body, expressed “disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision”.
Now former Wales international McAllister, a Uefa vice-president since 2023, says she is concerned by what the Balogun decision – and Trump’s involvement – could mean for football.
“You’re creating an absolute cesspit for the future because anyone can appeal,” she told BBC Radio Wales.
“Any political leader could potentially pick up the phone and say there’s a precedent for changing a punishment awarded to a player and I think it’s extremely dangerous.
“I work with Uefa and we’re very clear what the rules of our competitions are. We know exactly what rules and regulations are applied – as do all the participants at the beginning – so to even create an environment where you can undermine the awarding of punishments on the pitch for right or wrong is very dangerous”.
