Tebas labels Balogun red‑card reversal the worst incident ever

Javier Tebas, chairman of La Liga, said at a FIFPro‑congress in London that the reversal of the red card against the American striker Folarin Balogun was ‘the worst incident in the history of football’, citing the alleged intervention of President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Balogun's red card controversy

Balogun received a red card during the World Cup, which meant he had to miss a match against the Red Devils. The suspension was later lifted, reportedly after the intervention of Donald Trump, who contacted Gianni Infantino.

Tebas responded sharply: “We have FIFA, which reversed a red card because the president of a country called the FIFA chairman. That is the worst incident in the history of football.” He emphasized that such interference undermines the integrity of the game.

The Spanish official also points to broader problems within international football and demands reforms in the decision‑making of FIFA and UEFA. “We must not allow a repeat of what happened when Blatter was removed and Infantino took over,” Tebas said. For the chairman this is unacceptable.

He also criticises the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 nations, while players are asking for more rest. “If this does not stop, the whole system will collapse, because this is impossible to sustain,” he warned.

Nevertheless, the Balogun case did not eclipse Belgium’s performance, which beat the United States 4‑1 at the World Cup.