05 Jul 2026, 20:04
FIFA fined a match official for using a discriminatory gesture against Belgium
- FIFA fined the match official Florin Balogun for a discriminatory gesture toward Belgium in the 1/8 final.
- Belgium advanced by scoring a red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Tarik Muharemović receiving a red card in the 32nd minute, after which USA won 2:0.
- The fine was due to an incident described as a discriminatory gesture; the decision was made after the match official’s report.
FIFA has fined match official Florin Balogun for a discriminatory gesture toward Belgium, the organization said in its statement, adding that the incident occurred in the 1/8 final match against Belgium.
As AP reports, Belgium’s player received a red card for the gesture in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the player receiving a red card in the 32nd minute. The material says that FIFA based its decision on the match official’s report about the discriminatory gesture.
In a statement, FIFA, as reported by AP, said that it had reviewed the match official’s report and determined that the gesture was discriminatory in nature and that the fine would be imposed. The organization also noted that it was not possible to verify additional details from the match footage.
In a report, The Athletic wrote that match official FIFA’s report was based on video footage, and that the gesture could not be confirmed with the available images. The Athletic also said that Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which provides for the possibility of imposing a fine for a discriminatory gesture, was applied.
ESPN reports that FIFA’s statement said: Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code was applied to Belgium’s match official for a discriminatory gesture in the match. ESPN also notes that the decision was made after the match official’s report and that it was not possible to verify additional details from the match footage.
Tags: Politics/Sport/Football