Former FIFA president Joseph “Sepp” Blatter has publicly questioned football’s governing body after the controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, warning that sport should never be influenced by political power.Blatter shared his views on X after FIFA overturned Balogun’s automatic one-match ban ahead of the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium, a decision that came after US President. Donald Trump he personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card.The former FIFA chief, who served as the organization’s president from 1998 to 2015, suggested the episode raised serious concerns about the independence of soccer’s disciplinary process.
Post by Joseph Blatter
“Red cards are not canceled by political telephones. They are canceled by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a president of the United States intervenes with the president of FIFA – and a player is suddenly sent off before a World Cup elimination match – the question is inevitable: Quo vadis, FIFA?Football must never become a playground for political power.”Balogun was shown a red card during the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina after catching Tarik Muharemović on the ankle. The dismissal, issued after a VAR review by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, automatically triggered a one-match suspension.However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted under Article 27 of its disciplinary rules. Instead of serving an immediate ban, Balogun’s suspension was put on probation for one year. If he commits a similar offense during that period, the suspension will be triggered in addition to any other disciplinary action.The decision drew widespread attention after Trump praised FIFA for overturning what he described as “a great injustice.”Belgium reacted angrily to the decision, with the Royal Belgian Football Association saying it was “stunned” and confirming it was exploring all available options to protect the integrity of the competition.Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also criticized the decision, describing it as unprecedented in World Cup history and questioning the message it sends about the tournament’s disciplinary process.Meanwhile, United States coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s decision, maintaining that Balogun’s original dismissal had been unfair and arguing that his team had already been punished enough to play with 10 men for the rest of the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.The controversy has become one of the tournament’s biggest talking points, with Blatter’s remarks adding further scrutiny to FIFA’s handling of one of the most controversial disciplinary decisions in recent World Cup history.