Fifa to change suspension rules after Folarin Balogun World Cup controversy

Fifa is preparing to amend its disciplinary rules after the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension caused controversy at this year’s World Cup.

The proposed change would prevent players serving a mandatory one-match ban from having that suspension overturned in similar circumstances, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Balogun was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. The forward had been dismissed for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, the United States won the round of 32 match 2-0. Balogun’s red card automatically brought a one-match suspension, meaning he was initially expected to miss the co-hosts’ round of 16 tie against Belgium on July 6.

However, Fifa’s disciplinary committee overturned both the red card and the suspension, allowing Balogun to play. Belgium won the match 4-1.

The decision attracted further scrutiny after United States President Donald Trump said he had personally asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the punishment. Infantino has insisted that he was not involved in the disciplinary committee’s decision.

A motion to prevent future suspensions involving one-match bans from being overturned will be the leading item when Fifa’s 37-member council meets on Thursday, according to ESPN.

The proposed rule change may not bring an end to the dispute over Balogun’s case. Fifa vice-president Debbie Hewitt is among the football officials who have called on Infantino to publish all documents connected with the decision.

The council meeting will also be the first since Infantino faced criticism this summer over a plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial business to private investors. That proposal has now been tabled.

Field Level Media/Reuters