The decision that sets a dangerous precedent for the World Cup

The World Cup has been left in shock after Balogun’s red card was effectively overturned. In an unprecedented move, the red card shown to the U.S. forward in the match against Bosnia will not prevent him from playing in the round of 16 against Belgium.

Many football federations have voiced their objections to the decision, which sets a highly dangerous precedent for an organisation like FIFA. Until now, FIFA had consistently maintained that referees’ decisions should be respected, without re-refereeing matches, and certainly without suspending even the minimum mandatory sanction following a red card shown during a World Cup match.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has decided to suspend Balogun for one match, in accordance with Article 27 of the disciplinary code. However, the sanction has been suspended for a one-year probationary period, a practice UEFA has adopted in recent years.

The English press reported that the case began with a direct request from Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino, asking that the player be allowed to take part in the match against Belgium. When AS asked about the circumstances surrounding the Disciplinary Committee’s decision, FIFA referred only to the statement it had released on social media and declined to comment on the report of the alleged call from the U.S. president.

Trump himself expressed his delight on social media over FIFA’s decision, which allows the leading scorer in Mauricio Pochettino’s team to play against Belgium.

Whether or not Trump’s call actually took place, the decision has the potential to change the landscape of tournaments like this. It opens the door for disciplinary committees, appeals and video reviews to take precedence over referees’ decisions.

The United States submitted video evidence and a report arguing that the dismissal was unjustified, a position ultimately accepted by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.

There is some precedent for suspended sanctions. Cristiano Ronaldo was once sent off for elbowing Dara O’Shea of the Republic of Ireland and initially received a three-match ban, which would have ruled him out of Portugal’s first two World Cup matches. The sanction was later reduced to one match, with the remaining two suspended, allowing him to feature from the start of the tournament.

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