Storm on FIFA after the ‘pardon’ of Balogun. UEFA: "Past the limit"

There is a storm over FIFA and, in particular, its Swiss president Gianni Infantinoa great friend of Donald Trump for whom he even invented an ad hoc ‘Peace’ prize. The International Football Federation has decided to suspend the red card shown at Folarin Baloguneffectively ‘pardoning’ theUS forward sent off in the round of 32, who will regularly be able to take the field in the USA-Belgium match scheduled for this evening (at 2 in the morning) in round of 16 of the World Cup.

The Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA)sent a letter to FIFA– writes the Belgian newspaper ‘Le Soir’ – and this act was interpreted as a request for appeal by instructing a member of its appeal commission to make a new decision urgently. There Belgian federation he must now prepare his arguments to contest the decision, as he has not yet officially received it. It’s a race against time, as theinternational body he has until 2pm to make his decision.

UEFA: “Unjustifiable decision, the limit has been crossed”

With the decision to revoke the disqualification of the footballer Falorin Balogun, FIFA ‘crossed the line’. This is what we read in a harsh statement from UEFA which speaks of an “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” decision. “Football, like any other sport, is based on rules that are the foundation of a competition fair, honest and transparent. Sometimes, the rules are subject to interpretation. In this case, this is not the case,” we read note from the governing body of European calcium.

Trump’s intervention in the affair

As reported by theNew York Times‘, citing three sources familiar with the conversation, the American President Donald Trump called on Wednesday at FIFA president, Gianni Infantinoasking him to reconsider disqualification dell’United States striker. The English ‘The Guardian‘ he adds details, writing that Donald Trump made three phone calls to FIFA, starting last Wednesday, to ensure that the International Federation revoked the disqualification of the US striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the match against Belgium.

Unprecedented decision in FIFA

According to the American newspaper, this is a highly unusual decision: it would in fact be the first time since 1962 that the FIFA allows a player to play a game despite one automatic disqualification. Il ‘New York Times‘ further observes that the provision comes after years in which Infantino would have sought to strengthen relations with Trump. Last year the FIFA had established and conferred on the American president il “FIFA Peace Prize“, While Trump was conducting his unsuccessful public campaign to obtain the Nobel Peace Prize.

Reaction from Belgium and Rudi Garcia

As always, the comment by is ironic and biting Rudi GarciaFrench ct of Belgium who said at the press conference: “I didn’t know that July 5th was April 1st for the FIFA“. Then he added: “We must stick to the declaration (of Belgian federationed.): it is absolutely correct. It has never happened in the history of World Cup. By doing so, the Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA) defends the interests of football, its ethics and its integrity,” he explained.

Investigation by the Belgian federation

The URBSFA expressed his “amazement” and indicated that he was conducting athorough investigation on the issue (…) in order to protect i legitimate rights of all participating nations, as well as i fundamental principles of fair play that regulate our sport. Today, according to press reports, the official letter to FIFA.

Courtois’ words

Il Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expressed concern about the “strange timingon the eve of the match.” “This sets a dangerous and bizarre precedent.” “But in the end, we can’t do anything about it,” lamented the Real Madrid portierewho insisted that i Red Devils they were “calm”. “As a group, we want to win on the pitch, regardless of the opponents. It’s up to the federation react and protect football in general. We are only focused on the match,” he added.