European football's governing body UEFA on Monday accused FIFA of "crossing a red line" after suspending the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16.
The controversy erupted after FIFA's disciplinary committee overturned Balogun's automatic suspension, which had followed a straight red card in the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia in the Round of 32.
Under FIFA regulations, a direct red card carries an automatic one-match suspension that cannot be appealed by a player's team.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension would be put on hold for a one-year probationary period, meaning Balogun would only serve the ban if he commits a similar offence within the next year.
According to sources cited by AFP, the decision came after US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the player's punishment.
"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
UEFA strongly criticised the move, saying the decision "crossed a red line" and warning against political interference in sporting matters.
European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef also condemned the ruling, stating that "decisions on sporting rules and sporting matters belong to sporting bodies, not politicians" and that political influence would undermine the autonomy of sport.
Belgium's football federation said it was "astonished" by the decision, describing it as being in "direct contradiction" with FIFA's own rules, and announced it was exploring all available options to protect the integrity of the competition.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also mocked the timing of the ruling, saying: "I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it's April Fool's Day."
Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, had previously accepted the suspension, saying on Friday that it was "something I have to just accept."
US coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA's decision, insisting that the challenge should never have resulted in a red card and describing the original punishment as "too big" for an unintentional foul.
The ruling has reignited debate over FIFA's disciplinary processes and raised questions about the potential influence of political leaders on decisions at the world's biggest football tournament.
