Kozo Tashima, who wishes to challenge the current FIFA president in the election scheduled for next March, has publicly criticized the governing body over its handling of the Folarin Balogun incident during the World Cup. The controversy centers on the decision to allow Balogun to participate in a Round of 16 match against Belgium despite the player receiving a red card in a previous fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Balogun Red Card Decision

The incident drew significant scrutiny after the intervention of American president Donald Trump with Gianni Infantino. Tashima, speaking in an interview with the BBC, labeled the situation a breach of standard disciplinary procedure. “I have never seen a player allowed to continue to play after a justified red card. Such a situation must never happen again in the world of football,” Tashima stated.

Demands for Transparency and Governance

Tashima, who is challenging Infantino in the upcoming election scheduled for March, expressed frustration with the lack of institutional accountability regarding the incident. He highlighted that FIFA has failed to provide a clear explanation regarding the circumstances under which the suspension was bypassed. “He has provided no explanation as to the circumstances of this incident. Gianni Infantino has not yet answered most of our questions,” Tashima said.

The candidate argued that the current administrative culture within FIFA requires an overhaul. His platform prioritizes a return to foundational sporting values, specifically citing honesty, integrity, and fair play as the cornerstones of his campaign. “I attach great importance to values such as honesty, integrity, and fair play. I want to guarantee the protection of football and allow everyone to enjoy it. We must reform the system within FIFA and ensure good governance. Football must once again be the priority,” he added.

Unanswered Questions in the FIFA Presidency Campaign

While Tashima continues to press for clarity, the FIFA leadership has not issued a detailed public response addressing the specific allegations surrounding the match-day exemption. The incident remains a point of contention among stakeholders, as another national federation has recently declared its support for Gianni Infantino.

With the presidential election set for March, the controversy serves as a focal point for the debate over FIFA’s internal decision-making processes.