Belgium is contesting the eligibility of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun for their upcoming last-16 World Cup match scheduled for Monday. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) stated that FIFA treated their request for a copy of the decision regarding Balogun's eligibility as an inadmissible appeal.
FIFA had suspended Balogun's red-card ban, allowing him to participate in the round-of-16 tie after former U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.
The RBFA expressed frustration, noting they have yet to receive any formal decision or explanation from FIFA about Balogun's eligibility. "It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match," the RBFA said.
The RBFA also criticized FIFA for considering their correspondence as an appeal and rejecting it on technical grounds. They cited FIFA regulations stating that "for an appeal to be admissible, the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant." The RBFA argued that while they were seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA effectively created an appeal and ensured it would be declared inadmissible.
Additionally, the RBFA claimed FIFA removed the automatic player suspension section from a pre-match coordination meeting presentation without explanation, despite repeated requests.
"Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole," the RBFA added.
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