Belgian Foreign Minister: 'If a phone call swayed the Balogun decision, it's a blow to football's rules'

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, a former football referee, has sharply criticized FIFA’s decision to temporarily lift a one-match ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun. “I’ve always stood for upholding the rules and ensuring fairness. When I hear that a phone call might have influenced a disciplinary verdict, that’s deeply troubling. If such things are possible, the whole system loses credibility,” Prévot said. The minister admitted he doesn’t know the specifics of FIFA’s internal consultations, but argued that the mere existence of such rumors damages the sport’s integrity. Balogun was initially set to miss a game following an incident in a previous match, but FIFA suspended the sanction, clearing him to play in the next fixture. The move has sparked backlash, particularly from political figures who see it as a potential case of undue influence. Prévot added: “Football must remain clean. If there is even a shadow of doubt about the fairness of the process, that’s a problem not just for one team, but for the entire sport.”