July 7, 2026
Akahata ‘Beating’ column
What has happened to the spirit of fair play?
U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. This should have resulted in an automatic suspension from the subsequent match.
However, FIFA suspended his mandatory one-match ban for a year, enabling him to play in the next match. This decision is outrageous and utterly disregards the rules.
According to media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump put pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the phone to reconsider the one-match ban, and Infantino gave in. This blatant political intervention by Trump, coupled with FIFA’s apparent lack of independence, is nothing short of a “disaster”.
It is also an insult to footballers. Setting aside money and fame, they focus on the game and give their all. They celebrate wholeheartedly when they win and shed tears when they lose. The FIFA decision is a disgrace to them.
At the heart of sports lies the spirit of fair play based on fairness and impartiality. However, FIFA has thrown this away of its own accord. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has issued a statement expressing astonishment at FIFA’s decision to declare the suspended U.S. player eligible to play in the U.S.-Belgium match. The RBFA has also stated that it will defend the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.
If injustice is allowed to prevail, football will cease to be football as we know it. In order to safeguard sports from political intervention, there needs to be a strong global outcry.
What has happened to the spirit of fair play?
U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. This should have resulted in an automatic suspension from the subsequent match.
However, FIFA suspended his mandatory one-match ban for a year, enabling him to play in the next match. This decision is outrageous and utterly disregards the rules.
According to media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump put pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the phone to reconsider the one-match ban, and Infantino gave in. This blatant political intervention by Trump, coupled with FIFA’s apparent lack of independence, is nothing short of a “disaster”.
It is also an insult to footballers. Setting aside money and fame, they focus on the game and give their all. They celebrate wholeheartedly when they win and shed tears when they lose. The FIFA decision is a disgrace to them.
At the heart of sports lies the spirit of fair play based on fairness and impartiality. However, FIFA has thrown this away of its own accord. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has issued a statement expressing astonishment at FIFA’s decision to declare the suspended U.S. player eligible to play in the U.S.-Belgium match. The RBFA has also stated that it will defend the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.
If injustice is allowed to prevail, football will cease to be football as we know it. In order to safeguard sports from political intervention, there needs to be a strong global outcry.
