Craig Burley has launched a scathing attack on FIFA after the governing body overturned the red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun during their World Cup last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The former Scotland and Celtic midfielder believes the decision has undermined the integrity of the competition, particularly amid claims that US president Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in a bid to influence the outcome.
"We all know why this has been overturned and where the pressure has come from," Burley said during ESPN’s coverage of England’s win over Mexico. "However, FIFA and Gianni Infantino as an organisation have a duty to rebuke any advances to influence a sporting decision, and they have not.
"They have left themselves with a shell of any decency here. They have left themselves absolutely open to everyone that says this organisation, and I'm not going to say corrupt, but borderline does what they want."
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Balogun had opened the scoring for the USA before being dismissed early in the second half following a VAR review of his challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. The decision was later overturned, allowing him to feature in the Americans’ upcoming clash with Belgium.
The move has sparked widespread criticism, with UEFA and the Belgian FA both condemning FIFA, while Jurgen Klopp also weighed in to question the involvement of political figures in football matters.
Burley pointed to a pattern of controversial calls, adding: "The Club World Cup was proof, Ronaldo's suspended sentence was proof, the Messi incident against Algeria where he didn't get a yellow card and VAR didn't check for a red card is proof.
"The fact that this player plays for a host nation and everybody is talking about it is proof that decisions are influenced by the popularity of individuals and countries and beyond that. That is not a good place to be in."
He also suggested England could seek clarity over Jarell Quansah’s dismissal against Mexico, insisting: "England are going to be well within their rights to ask what the decision is going to be on the right back who was sent off this evening."
