That’s when things started to boil in the World Cup. Of course, in the match arena, as it should, where nations fight their way through to the quarter-finals, but also “in the back room” at FIFA. On Sunday, it became known that USA profile Folarin Balogun was ready to play for the round of 8 against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the round of 16. The Athletic claimed it was the host nation’s leader who called Fifa president Gianni Infantino after the match to have Balogun’s ban lifted. The Belgian Football Association submitted an appeal before the round of 8, on Monday the answer came.
The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) had been given the green light to appeal FIFA’s decision not to allow Folarin Balogun’s suspension to take effect, and they chose to do so in the hope of having the decision reversed, but the appeal has now been rejected.
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This was announced by the Belgian camp here a few hours before the important round of eight:
“The Belgian Football Federation (RBFA) has received the decision of the FIFA Appeals Committee, signed by committee member Salman Al-Ansari, which rejects the RBFA’s case and confirms the previous decision to allow American player Folarin Balogun to play.”
“The RBFA has so far still not received any reasons for this decision and has not received the information the federation has requested since the start of this process, namely a copy of the decision and the reasons for declaring the player eligible to play, as well as the referee’s report. This is a violation of FIFA’s regulations. The RBFA has informed the American Football Association that they will challenge the player’s eligibility if he is on the referee’s team card.”
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According to journalist Ben Jacobs, this means that Belgium is keeping all options open for further action.
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