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FIFA rejects Belgium's request, Balogun to play as normal
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

FIFA rejects Belgium's request, Balogun to play as normal

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • FIFA rejected a request from the Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to review the decision allowing Folarin Balogun to play in the USA vs. Belgium World Cup match.
  • The RBFA claims FIFA treated their request as an appeal and dismissed it as inadmissible, despite not providing a reasoned decision.
  • The RBFA alleges FIFA ignored their requests for clarification and improperly removed a note about Balogun's automatic suspension from pre-match materials.

FIFA has rejected a request from the Belgian Football Association (RBFA) concerning Folarin Balogun's eligibility to play in the World Cup match against Belgium. The RBFA had sought a reasoned decision on why the American forward was allowed to participate in the Round of 16 game.

According to the RBFA, FIFA treated their request as an appeal and deemed it inadmissible. The Belgian federation stated that FIFA did not provide the required reasoned decision, which is necessary for an appeal to be considered valid. "While the RBFA was merely seeking the legal explanations it was entitled to, FIFA turned its request into an appeal and immediately ensured it was declared inadmissible," the RBFA announced.

While the RBFA was merely seeking the legal explanations it was entitled to, FIFA turned its request into an appeal and immediately ensured it was declared inadmissible.

— RBFAThe Belgian Football Association's statement regarding FIFA's rejection of their request.

The RBFA also criticized FIFA for not officially informing them of the decision and for ignoring their verbal and written requests for clarification. They claim they had only a few hours to react to the situation. The federation further contends that their objection to Balogun's participation was also based on FIFA removing the mention of the player's automatic suspension from pre-match briefing materials without explanation, despite repeated requests for clarification from the RBFA.

FIFA had previously suspended Balogun's punishment for his expulsion, allowing him to play against Belgium. This decision reportedly followed a personal intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, requesting a review of the case.

For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA's own regulations stipulate that the reasoned decision must first be communicated to the appellant.

— RBFAThe Belgian Football Association's explanation of FIFA's procedural requirements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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