Belgium have declared themselves “astonished” after Folarin Balogun’s suspension was wiped by Fifa ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash.
United States striker Balogun had his one-match ban “suspended” in an extraordinary development on Monday after being controversially sent off in his country’s round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Fifa’s regulations provided no official avenue to hear an appeal of Balogun’s red card – something which was criticised – but justified the move by citing Article 27 in Fifa’s disciplinary code, which states: “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
US president Donald Trump responded by hailing Fifa for “reversing a great injustice”, raising concerns of sporting integrity due to his close relationship with Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Rudi Garcia was left furious, maintaining their anger goes beyond their own immediate situation with the last 16 tie: ““I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools. I think it’s necessary to refer to our statement. A lot of what I feel is there.
“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football, integrity. It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision has been taken”
Belgium’s FA has now responded to Fifa’s decision, drawing attention to Fifa’s “direct contradiction” to their own World Cup provisions.
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by Fifa’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time),” a statement read.
“Fifa bases its decision on Article 27 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the Fifa Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.
“However, Article 66.4 of the same Fifa Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this Fifa World Cup.
“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the Fifa World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’
“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in Fifa World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.
“The same rule is reiterated at every Fifa World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all Fifa World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this Fifa World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
The decision is similar in its action to the latter two games of Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-game ban in the World Cup qualifiers being “suspended”, making the Portugal captain available from the start of this World Cup.
Another factor in Fifa’s decision may have been the non-awarding of a red card for Lionel Messi for a similar tackle in Argentina’s win against Algeria.
