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EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef Calls Out FIFA Overturning Balogun Red Card

EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef Calls Out FIFA Overturning Balogun Red Card
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European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef has spoken out against the recent decision by FIFA to overturn a red card issued against US striker Folarin Balogun

Balogun had been dismissed after a video review found he had stepped on the foot of a Bosnian defender during the USA's 2-0 victory in the previous round.

However, Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the punishment, leading to the the overturning.

Micallef said that this raises a number questions about fairness, adding that politicians should be kept separate from match rules and decisions taken by referees.

‘The real question is where does this end. Today we’re discussing a red card and a ban. Tomorrow we could be discussing which referee officiates which match, we could be discussing performance enhancing drugs and pressure made by politicians on these issues.’

#MaltaDaily