Tribal Football

FIFA dismiss Belgium's appeal over controversial Balogun red card decision

FIFA dismiss Belgium's appeal over controversial Balogun red card decision
FIFA dismiss Belgium's appeal over controversial Balogun red card decisionREUTERS

FIFA have officially dismissed Belgium's appeal regarding the controversial decision to 'suspend' USMNT forward Folarin Balogun's red card.

The 25-year-old was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge during the USMNT’s round of 32 win over Bosnia, following VAR intervention.

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Balogun was meant to miss the round of 16 game against Belgium, but following intervention from President Donald Trump, FIFA have suspended his one game suspension.

Belgium then appealed the decision, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino denies that a call between the two had anything to do with the call.

FIFA’s appeal committee, however, has rendered the request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as “inadmissible”.

In response the RBFA acknowledged receipt of the decision before indicating “further actions” were still open to the federation.

A statement read: “To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure for a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report. Which is a breach of FIFA regulations.

“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.”