The Royal Belgian Football Association has demanded an immediate explanation from FIFA over the decision to lift a one-match red card suspension for United States forward Folarin Balogun, throwing a wave of pre-match controversy into Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 clash.
Belgium is scheduled to play the United States later today for a high-stakes spot in the tournament quarterfinals. However, the buildup to the match has been upended by FIFA’s unexpected move to use Article 27 of its disciplinary code to “suspend” the automatic ban Balogun received for scraping his studs down an opponent’s calf against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Belgian federation released a statement confirming that it remains completely in the dark regarding the governing body’s administrative U-turn.
“The Belgian federation has still not received either FIFA’s decision or any explanation regarding this matter,” the organization stated. “In these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”
The sudden legal challenge from Belgium adds intense pressure to an already highly scrutinized ruling. The decision to clear Balogun had previously drawn strong reactions, including praise from U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, who thanked FIFA for “reversing a great injustice”—a comment that amplified existing scrutiny over his relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino had also fiercely defended the striker after the initial incident, publicly stating that the play was “never a red card” and “not intentional.”
While FIFA has previously suspended bans in international soccer—such as pausing a three-game qualification suspension for Cristiano Ronaldo, and showing leniency in a similar tackle involving Lionel Messi—Belgium’s formal challenge puts Balogun’s status on a knife-edge just hours before kickoff.
READ: FIFA Erases Balogun Red Card To Hand USA Massive World Cup Lifeline Ahead Of Belgium Clash
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