World Cup 2026: Balogun’s decision throws red card system into disarray

There is an overriding question many people are asking right now. How?

FIFA’s disciplinary code says Balogun should receive a “minimum two-match ban for serious foul play”.

In fact, World Cup rules do not allow teams to appeal against red cards.

FIFA’s statement did not give a reason or explanation for the suspension of Balogun’s ban. It simply cited “Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code”.

Article 27 allows FIFA to “suspend in whole or in part the implementation of a disciplinary measure”.

This is a broad rule that allows FIFA to effectively decide what it wants without having to meet any other criteria.

Article 27 has never been used in a World Cup before.

BBC Sport asked why this happened.

But we are not given any arguments. We were simply guided Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban Before this tournament.

Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia – but the remaining two games of the ban were suspended.

Although Ronaldo received a red card in the qualifiers. It was not a red card in a World Cup.

Not just Ronaldo, there have been many instances of players showing some humility before the tournament.

Look at Laurent Koscielny of France in 2014, or Moises Caesdo of Ecuador and Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina before this World Cup.

At least with Ronaldo, we were given some vindication, with FIFA saying it took into account that “he had no red cards in his other 225 international appearances”.

With Balogun, we didn’t get that either.

This leaves a void of information that can only be guesswork.

Why was this a special case? What factors have been considered? Who made the decision?

BBC Sport has been told there is no suggestion the referee asked for the suspension to be lifted or that video assistant referee protocol was not respected.

In England, the Football Association will publish full written reasons.

The US has the right to ask FIFA to release them, Belgium does not.

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards, a former England defender, said it was a farce.

“Having it suspended for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament,” he said.

“It’s about keeping the big stars in the competition. How can that be? FIFA needs to do better.

“It left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.”

Belgium, however, is furious. They issued a statement on Sunday saying they were “surprised” that Balogun had been allowed to play.

The Belgian FA mentioned several regulations, workshop presentations and pre-tournament coordination meetings.

They are adamant that the decision contravenes tournament rules which state that a player will be “automatically suspended from their team’s next match”.

Indeed, they say FIFA used its disciplinary code to override competition rules.

Rudy Garcia, head coach of Belgium, went further, speaking at a press conference. He said: “I didn’t know (the) FIFA World Cup on July 5 is now April 1, and it’s April Fools.

“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football.”

What do the other players sent to this tournament think?

Take Qatar’s Asim Madibo, involved in an unfortunate incident that left Canadian midfielder Ismael Cone with a broken leg.

There is a clear case that Madibo did not even make a challenge, that the injury was accidental and not due to the nature of the tackle.

Yet FIFA handed Madibo a five-game ban – and an extra three on top of the standard penalty for serious foul play.