Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has accused football's governing bodies of maintaining a "complicit silence" over a controversial FIFA decision that allowed United States striker Folarin Balogun to escape suspension at the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun was sent off following a VAR review by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus during the US's group-stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA's disciplinary committee initially imposed a one-game ban, but opted to suspend it for 12 months, meaning Balogun was eligible to play in the 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16.
“La Liga president Javier Tebas accuses football world of 'complicit silence' over FIFA's controversial decision to spare Balogun ban.”
Uefa, which has been at odds with FIFA on multiple issues, branded the move "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" on Monday. Yet beyond Europe, the outcry has been muted. The South American confederation, Conmebol, issued a statement backing Claus after US President Donald Trump called the Brazilian "a bit suspect", but it did not criticise FIFA or Trump, who confirmed he had asked for the ban to be reviewed.
Tebas, 63, described the Balogun episode as the "tip of the iceberg" in a series of events that have been "eroding the credibility of FIFA and football in general for many years". He accused FIFA of operating as a closed shop where decisions are made before any vote takes place and without consulting domestic leagues.
"And the worst of all is that much of the football world is aware of it, but too many prefer to maintain a complicit silence," Tebas wrote on X. "Because staying quiet is more comfortable than defending independence, transparency, and good governance."
He added: "World football deserves institutions that are accountable, respect the rules, and govern with transparency – not through unilateral, discretionary, arbitrary decisions that erode the trust of fans, clubs, leagues, and players."
Tebas's outburst highlights the widening rift between European football authorities and FIFA, which has faced growing criticism over its handling of disciplinary matters and governance. The question now is whether any other confederations will break their silence.