Did FIFA apply its own disciplinary rules consistently when it overturned Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension? That is the question dividing football's governing bodies after FIFA cleared the United States striker to play against Belgium just days after he received a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FIFA says it acted within the authority of Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code. UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association do not dispute the rule itself. Their concern is different. They argue FIFA interpreted and applied the rule in a way that could weaken confidence in how future disciplinary decisions are made.