World Cup: Balogun case: EU and Belgian politicians criticize FIFA

The world football association FIFA had lifted US striker Balogun’s red card ban. As things currently stand, the striker is eligible to play in the USA’s round of 16 against Belgium on Tuesday (2:00 a.m./CEST). According to consistent media reports, US President Donald Trump is said to have called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and exerted pressure to review the ban.

EU Commissioner Micallef wrote: “Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport.” As a fan, he thinks the decision is wrong.

Belgian Foreign Minister: incomprehensible decision

There is also continued outrage in Belgian politics over the US striker’s suspended red card. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot spoke to Politico in a statement about a decision that “undoubtedly raises many questions.” The Belgian government member went on to say: If a telephone call was the cause of the decision, this would be equivalent to undermining the most basic rules of football and sport. The process would also call into question FIFA’s ability to credibly support fair play.

The Belgian newspaper “Le Soir” says: A regulation that adapts to the circumstances quickly ceases to be a regulation. It becomes a tool of instrumentalization. The history of FIFA is paved with too many “devil’s pacts” to be able to give it a blessing without confession.