Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:14pm on 07 Jul 2026,Tuesday Politics
UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister has warned that FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after intervention from US President Donald Trump could set a dangerous precedent for football. McAllister said allowing political leaders to influence disciplinary decisions risks turning the sport into an "absolute cesspit" of political interference. Balogun was cleared to play in the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium despite being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. UEFA criticised FIFA's move as crossing a "red line", while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said football must never become a playground for political power.
