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The European Commission has called for fairness and openness regarding FIFA’s disputed choice to overturn the red-card ban for American forward Folarin Balogun, after a personal intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested him to revoke Balogun’s suspension, later expressing gratitude to Infantino for “correcting a significant wrong.”

Consequently, Balogun has been permitted to participate in the US’s upcoming elimination game versus Belgium.

We value the independence of sports,” stated a Commission representative on Monday in response to an Euronews query. “We acknowledge the right of sports associations to determine the standards for competitors. And any such choice should clearly be based on a set of objective, open criteria. We back the idea of fair play and clear competition.

The representative chose not to address Balogun’s specific situation, but the statements may be interpreted as a subtle criticism of FIFA’s choice.

Balogun was scheduled to sit out Monday’s last-16 match against the Belgian Red Devils following a straight red card, which was confirmed through video review after he tripped a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 game that the US won 2-0.

According to FIFA regulations, a direct red card results in an automatic one-match suspension, which the player’s team is unable to challenge. However, the regulatory authority surprised soccer supporters on Sunday by declaring that the penalty would be put on hold for a year.

Commissioner Glenn Micaleff, who is responsible for sports within his duties, was more severe in his criticism, labeling the change as “the wrong decision.”

“I have always been straightforward. Decisions regarding sports rules and related issues should be made by sports organizations, not politicians. Interfering in sports decisions would weaken the independence of sport,” Micaleff wrote on social media.

Instead, our attention should concentrate on the genuine governance issues confronting sport, such as the use of sport as a tool for political objectives.

It is very rare for the Commission to get involved in football matters.

Nevertheless, the anger towards FIFA’s choice has demonstrated amighty force, dominating the news cycle and political discourse. The anger was especiallyintense in Belgium, where the Commission is based.

UEFA criticized the decision as “unprecedented, confusing, and unacceptable,” while the Belgian Football Federation has initiated an official appeal regarding Balogun’s eligibility.

The federation has charged FIFA with ignoring its “valid inquiries” and establishing an appeal procedure that was “instantly” ruled unacceptable.