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🇫🇷 France /Sports

Balogun affair: FIFA's decision is 'incomprehensible' for Belgium, EU denounces 'attack on sport's autonomy'

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Belgian and EU officials have expressed outrage over FIFA's decision to suspend a red card given to US attacker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
  • Belgium's Foreign Minister called the decision "incomprehensible" and questioned political interference, particularly from Donald Trump.
  • The EU Commissioner for Sport stated that decisions on sporting rules should rest with sports bodies, not politicians, to preserve the autonomy of sport.

Belgian and European Union officials have joined in condemning FIFA's decision to overturn a red card issued to American attacker Folarin Balogun, denouncing it as political interference.

If it is truly a phone call that explains this incomprehensible decision, it would be trampling on the most basic rules of football and sport.

— Maxime PrévotExpressing disbelief and concern over the potential political influence on FIFA's decision.

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, described the FIFA decision as "incomprehensible" on Monday. He questioned the potential political influence behind the suspension, specifically mentioning Donald Trump. "If it is truly a phone call that explains this incomprehensible decision, it would be trampling on the most basic rules of football and sport," Prévot stated in a press release. "This would be very serious. How could FIFA still argue for fair play with credibility?" he added, shortly before Belgium's match against the United States.

This would be very serious. How could FIFA still argue for fair play with credibility?

— Maxime PrévotQuestioning FIFA's integrity following the controversial decision.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever humorously commented on the controversy through his cat, Maximus, who is his usual communication channel on Instagram. "Red card? I'm still going to play!" Maximus posted alongside a photo of himself with a red card. De Wever's office directed inquiries about his personal reaction to these Instagram comments.

Red card? I'm still going to play!

— Maximus (Belgian Prime Minister's cat)A humorous social media post commenting on the Balogun red card controversy.

The European Union also weighed in, with Commissioner Glenn Micallef emphasizing that decisions regarding sports regulations should be made by sports organizations, not politicians. "Exercising influence over sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport," Micallef warned in a post on social media platform X. The controversy has drawn reactions from UEFA as well, with concerns raised about FIFA's actions and the potential crossing of a "red line."

Exercising influence over sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport.

— Glenn MicallefStating the EU's position on political interference in sports.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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