Blatter warns of political interference after Balogun red card reversal

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly criticised the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card, suggesting political influence may have played a role. Blatter stressed that football must remain independent from political power and questioned FIFA's integrity in handling the case. The ban on the American player was rescinded following a reported external intervention, drawing sharp reactions from Belgium. The episode has raised broader concerns about the transparency and fairness of FIFA's disciplinary process.