FIFA Has Protected its Stars Long Before Balogun

From Garrincha to Ronaldo, FIFA has often stepped in to ensure its most valuable players would not be penalized for their actions. But it's happening more often than ever in 2026.

UEFA and FIFA have clashed repeatedly in recent years, but UEFA’s response to FIFA’s decision to lift the red-card sanction against US striker Folarin Balogun was unusually blunt.

FIFA ruled that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension would be suspended for a one-year probationary period, clearing him to play in the United States’ World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. UEFA responded by accusing FIFA of going beyond a routine disciplinary judgment and undermining the authority of referees.

“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line,” UEFA said in a statement.

Balogun is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. Source: Getty

Belgium called the decision similar to April Fool’s. It then lodged a formal appeal within hours, claiming that FIFA had interfered in the integrity of the competition, perhaps at the behest of US Pr…