Uefa VP warns of 'cesspit' of political interference in football after Balogun ban suspension

Uefa vice-president Laura McAllister says there is a risk of "an absolute cesspit" of political interference in football after Folarin Balogun avoided a ban at the World Cup.

Balogun was expected to be suspended for the USA's last-16 tie against Belgium after his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But the Monaco striker played against the Belgians after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa following an intervention by US President Donald Trump.

Fifa's decision led to widespread criticism, with Trump saying he had personally asked for a review of Balogun's dismissal because he "didn't think it was a foul".

Uefa, European football's governing body, expressed "disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision".

Now former Wales international McAllister, a Uefa vice-president since 2023, says she is concerned by what the Balogun decision - and Trump's involvement - could mean for football.

"You're creating an absolute cesspit for the future because anyone can appeal," she told BBC Radio Wales.

"Any political leader could potentially pick up the phone and say there's a precedent for changing a punishment awarded to a player and I think it's extremely dangerous.

"I work with Uefa and we're very clear what the rules of our competitions are. We know exactly what rules and regulations are applied - as do all the participants at the beginning - so to even create an environment where you can undermine the awarding of punishments on the pitch for right or wrong is very dangerous".

McAllister said Infantino is in a difficult position - but added that the "politics that operate in football", particularly at global level, are "very different to anything we would normally accept and tolerate".

"I think in a normal environment there would be doubts cast on Infantino's leadership, but I think you have to say football isn't a normal environment," added McAllister.

"I think in the lead-up to this World Cup it was understandable that Gianni Infantino needed to ensure that Trump was on board with this huge tournament that effectively funds everything that Fifa does.

"But I think it just went too far and he was trapped into this vortex of a relationship with Trump which meant that what happened on the weekend was almost bound to happen."