Former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani has reacted to FIFA’s decision to rescind the red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly thanked the football governing body for reversing the disciplinary action.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, praised FIFA for what he described as correcting an injustice, with the decision making Balogun eligible for the United States’ FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Reacting on X, Sani warned that if a country’s president could influence FIFA to review or alter a disciplinary decision, it would set a dangerous precedent for international sports officiating beyond football.
According to him, such a development could undermine confidence in the independence and fairness of decisions made by football authorities worldwide. He argued that disciplinary actions should remain free from political influence to preserve the integrity of the sport.
Sani also expressed hope that FIFA would not become an organisation where powerful countries enjoy special privileges similar to those of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
He wrote, “If a President of a Country can call the FIFA President to interfere or change a disciplinary decision that has been taken on a player, a dangerous precedent has been set for international sports officiating, not just football administration in the world.”
