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FIFA rejects Belgium's appeal, clearing US striker Balogun for World Cup match
🇦🇹 Austria /Sports

FIFA rejects Belgium's appeal, clearing US striker Balogun for World Cup match

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • FIFA has rejected Belgium's appeal against the suspended red card for US striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the World Cup knockout match against Belgium.
  • The Belgian FA had protested the decision, claiming FIFA improperly initiated an appeal process and denied them a proper explanation.
  • Balogun received a red card in a previous match but FIFA suspended the disciplinary measure for a year, making him eligible to play.

Folarin Balogun is cleared to play for the U.S. national team in their World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA dismissed Belgium's protest. The global football governing body announced Monday evening that it had rejected Belgium's appeal against the probationary suspension of the striker's red card.

Although the RBFA merely requested justified explanations, FIFA itself constructed an appeal process and simultaneously ensured that it would be classified as inadmissible.

— Belgian FAThe Belgian FA issued a statement criticizing FIFA's handling of the appeal process.

The Belgian FA had previously leveled serious accusations against FIFA, demanding a copy of the decision and an explanation of the process. According to the RBFA, their only response from FIFA was a letter treating their request for clarification as an appeal. FIFA then reportedly appointed a judge and gave the RBFA only a few hours to complete this appeal, despite the RBFA's assertion that an appeal is only permissible after the reasoned decision has been delivered.

"Although the RBFA merely requested justified explanations, FIFA itself constructed an appeal process and simultaneously ensured that it would be classified as inadmissible," the Belgian statement read. The RBFA expressed deep concern over the events, regardless of the match's sporting outcome, and vowed to continue advocating for "fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole."

Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned about the course of events.

— Belgian FAThe Belgian FA expressed its dissatisfaction with FIFA's decision-making process.

Balogun was initially given a one-match ban for accidentally landing on an opponent's ankle during a World Cup game against Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA later suspended this sanction for one year, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations, which allows for the suspension of disciplinary measures. This decision, as it stands, makes the U.S. striker eligible for the upcoming match.

The automatic suspension of one game after a red card for Folarin Balogun for one year.

— UEFAUEFA commented on the FIFA decision, noting a 'red line' had been crossed.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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