European football governing body UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to reverse Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension, warning that the move threatens the integrity, credibility and consistency of football’s disciplinary system.

In a sharply worded statement released on Monday, UEFA said FIFA had ignored one of football’s fundamental disciplinary principles by overturning a mandatory sanction.

The row erupted after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended for one year the one-match ban imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun, making him eligible for Monday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

Balogun had been ruled out of the fixture after receiving a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

The dismissal followed a VAR review which found the striker had stamped on an opponent, an offence that carries an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has granted approval for the immediate construction of five mini- sports centres in Toto, Keffi, Kokona, Wamba and Doma Local Government Areas.

The governor made the announcement at the grand finale of the maiden Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation Grassroots Football Tournament held at Pilot Primary School Football Pitch, Toto.

The grassroots football competition was organized to mark the 53rd birthday of Secretary to the State Government, Shuaibu Magaji Labaran.

“Looking at the condition of this pitch, both teams were able to display exceptional talent. I know if we give them the Lafia City Stadium, they would do far better,” Sule said.

“I feel bad about the pitch’s condition, and seeing how passionate you people are about football. It will definitely be a shame if we don’t have a mini stadium here in Toto.”

Sule said that the contracts for the five projects will be signed and sealed on Monday (today).

Former African champions, D’Tigers finished the latest qualifying window on Sunday, July 5, without defeat after walloping Rwanda 106-62 points to secure a spot in the Second Round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers.

Group C matches of the qualifiers featuring Nigeria, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda were hosted in Luanda, Angola.

In the Angolan capital, Nigeria caused an upset by beating high-flying group leaders Guinea 80-79 and Tunisia 84-81.

The D’Tigers’ dominant performance over Rwanda yesterday was the largest winning margin at that stage of the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers campaign.

They overcame their 1–2 win–loss record from the first round of Group C, played in November, to advance to the second round of the qualifiers for the 12 teams with an encouraging 4–2 record.

(Daily Trust)