Belgium's soccer federation has reportedly secured the right to appeal FIFA's decision to lift a red card suspension for U.S. World Cup player Folarin Balogun. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) requested a comprehensive explanation from FIFA regarding its ruling, and is also seeking a report from FIFA's officiating body, according to The Athletic.
FIFA made the decision to suspend Balogun's red card ban on Sunday. Balogun had initially received the red card for stepping on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic after a video assistant referee (VAR) review during a World Cup match. The RBFA stated it was "astonished" by the decision, and Belgian coach Rudi Garcia criticized FIFA's ruling.
"I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe," Garcia said through a translator. "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision."
The RBFA indicated it is exploring all potential options to "safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport." The specific nature of these options was not detailed.
According to a source that spoke to Fox News, U.S. President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card incident. Trump's administration has not publicly commented on the matter.
FIFA announced that the enforcement of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during this period, the suspension will be reinstated, without prejudice to any additional sanctions.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino supported FIFA's decision, stating that the team had "punished enough" by playing with 10 men for 30 minutes in what he described as a "completely unfair" decision against Bosnia and Herzegovina.