Alayev calls Balogun red card reversal most unpleasant in football
The president of the Russian Premier League, Alexander Alayev, called the reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card suspension at the 2026 World Cup the most unpleasant and surprising episode in football during his career. The decision, made by FIFA after a request from U.S. President Donald Trump, allowed Balogun to play in the quarterfinal against Belgium despite a red card in the previous match.
Consensus
- Folarin Balogun received a straight red card in the 1/16 final match of the 2026 World Cup between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- FIFA suspended the automatic ban on Balogun and imposed a one-year probationary period instead.
- Balogun played in the quarterfinal match against Belgium, which ended in a 1–4 loss for the USA.
- Alexander Alayev, president of the Russian Premier League, described the reversal as the most unpleasant and surprising episode in his football career.
- Alayev expressed confidence in the system of checks and balances within FIFA and UEFA.
- U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly requested FIFA to review the decision on Balogun's suspension.
- The European Parliament and members of the U.S. Congress called for investigations into FIFA President Gianni Infantino's ties to the White House.
- The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) stated it had lost trust in Gianni Infantino.
- The President of the Football Association of Jordan, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, claimed Infantino tried to blackmail his organization into supporting his re-election campaign.
Points of divergence
- Alayev said he has no desire to comment on Infantino's actions or criticism, and that it is not his concern whether Infantino is re-elected. — riamo
- Alayev stated he is not worried about the future of football despite the possibility of Infantino leaving FIFA. — vm
Coverage (2 sources)
- Alayev called the cancellation of Balogun's disqualification the most unpleasant episode in football — РИАМО
- Alayev called the cancellation of Balogun's red card at the World Cup the most unpleasant story — Вечерняя Москва
Key entities
- Aleksandr Alayev
- Folarin Balogun
- FIFA
- USA
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Herzegovina
- Gianni Infantino
- Russian Premier League
- RPL
- Monaco
- Metaratings.ru
- Metaratings
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