Blatter blasts FIFA for canceling Balogun's suspension: "Where are you going?"

The suspension of the red card for striker Folarin Balogun continues to occupy the sports news at this World Cup. Former FIFA president, Joseph Blatter, also took a stance on the matter and criticized the measure adopted by the entity, which suspended the automatic punishment that the player would have had to comply with.

On his social networks, the former leader condemned the episode and stated that "football should never become a terrain for the exercise of political power", says part of the excerpt of the post, reinforcing the value of the rules in force in the sport.

"Red cards are not overturned by political calls. They are reversed based on rules, evidence and decisions by independent bodies. If a US president intervenes with the president of FIFA - and a player is suddenly released before a World Cup knockout game - the question becomes inevitable: Quo vadis (Where are you going, FIFA?".

Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President - and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match - the question is unavoidable: Quo...

- Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) July 6, 2026

The issue that generated controversy occurred in the confrontation between the United States and Bosnia, in a match valid for the second phase of the World Cup, opening the stage of knockout matches of this national team tournament.

Folarin Balogun stepped on Tarik Muharemovic's ankle. The play continued, but a request for review of the play was made by VAR, which culminated in the athlete's exclusion.

Supposed interference by Trump
According to The New York Times, President Donald Trump had called Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, asking for the card to be annulled last Wednesday (1st), after the game.

Following the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the athlete should serve a suspension against Belgium, in a match scheduled for this Monday (6), at 9pm.

Uefa blasts FIFA for releasing Balogun for the World Cup: "He crossed a red line"

Source: CNN