World football governing body FIFA and organiser of the men’s football world cup last night declared Belgium’s appeal against the suspension of the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun inadmissible.
FIFA declares Belgian appeal over Balogun’s eligibility to play inadmissible
Colin Clapson
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Consequently, the American was eligible to play in Belgium’s final 16 match against the USA in Seattle early on Tuesday morning Belgian time. Belgium trounced the USA 4 – 1 setting up a quarter-final game against Spain.
Balogun's automatic suspension for the Belgium match following a red card was lifted after US president Donald J. Trump called FIFA.
FIFA officially dismissed the protest that the Belgian FA , the RBFA, had lodged in haste against the American striker’s eligibility only hours ahead of the match on Monday.
The Belgian appeal was declared inadmissible, according to a statement from world football’s governing body. “It follows that the decision (i.e. to allow Balogun to play) is upheld in its entirety,” the document dryly states. FIFA has not yet specified exactly why the appeal is inadmissible; no further details have been released.
To make matters even worse, the Belgian Football Association must also foot the bill for the legal costs. These amount to roughly 1,000 dollars.
Following the USA’s defeat against the Red Devils, American striker Folarin Balogun spoke for the first time about FIFA’s decision to overturn his suspension (and therefore his red card).
“Of course it’s controversial,” said the 25-year-old striker. “But we accepted the decision when I was shown the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were told I was allowed to play.”
After the match, Balogun had a brief conversation with Belgium’s manager Rudi Garcia. “I wanted to congratulate Belgium and Garcia and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the tournament.”
Garcia appreciated the gesture: “I was pleased that he came over to me. The media frenzy of the past few days isn’t his fault either. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”