UEFA slams FIFA for lifting Balogun suspension

European football's governing body UEFA on Monday strongly criticized FIFA's decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in Monday's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium.

FIFA announced Sunday that it had suspended the implementation of Balogun's automatic suspension following his red card for a dangerous foul during the United States' 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.

The move drew widespread criticism, with the Royal Belgian Football Association expressing "astonishment" at what it described as an unprecedented decision. Reports have suggested FIFA acted after receiving three telephone calls from U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a statement published Monday, UEFA said FIFA's decision "to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line."

"Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not," UEFA said.

It added that "a minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension."

UEFA said football's global appeal rests on the consistent application of its laws.

"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws," the statement said, warning that "the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined" by what it called FIFA's "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

According to the latest reports, Belgium has been granted the right to appeal FIFA's ruling, although there is no guarantee a decision will be reached before Monday's World Cup knockout match.