The Belgium Football Federation (RBFA) has expressed shock over FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one match ban handed to USA striker Folarin Balogun, describing the move as extraordinary and confirming it is exploring every possible option to protect the integrity of the competition.
The controversy erupted ahead of Monday’s FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash between Belgium and tournament co hosts the United States in Seattle. FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension had been put on hold, making him eligible to play in a match with a place in the quarter finals at stake.
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted strongly, saying it was “investigating all potential options” to “safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport”.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also questioned the decision during his pre match press conference.
“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” Garcia said.
“A lot of our thoughts and opinions are in the release.
“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football.”
Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout tie after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s 2 0 victory over Bosnia in the round of 32. The striker was sent off following a VAR review after stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender.
Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card normally carries an automatic one match suspension that cannot be appealed by a player’s national team. However, FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Balogun’s ban had been suspended for one year, allowing him to feature against Belgium. The governing body did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision.
The ruling marks the first time since yellow and red cards were introduced at the 1970 World Cup that a player sent off in one match has been cleared to play in his country’s next game.
Folarin Balogun has been one of the stars of the tournament, scoring three goals to help the United States reach the knockout rounds. His availability is a major boost for the hosts, who are chasing their first World Cup quarter final appearance since 2002.
Ironically, Balogun had accepted his suspension only days earlier.
“Something I have to just accept,” the 25 year old said on Friday.
After FIFA reversed the ban, Balogun celebrated on Instagram by posting a photo of himself in the USA jersey with Michael Jackson’s Bad as the accompanying soundtrack.
In its statement, FIFA cited “article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code”, which allows a suspension to be “suspended for a probationary period of one year”.
As a result, Balogun will only serve the suspension if he commits another similar offence within the next 12 months.
While the decision has sparked widespread debate, there is a recent precedent. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo received a three match suspension for an elbow during World Cup qualifying last year, but FIFA suspended two matches of that ban. The ruling allowed Ronaldo to feature in Portugal’s opening World Cup match and also attracted criticism.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted the timing of FIFA’s decision caught the squad off guard.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” Courtois said after learning Folarin Balogun had been cleared to play less than 24 hours before the last 16 showdown.
The decision has intensified the build up to one of the tournament’s biggest knockout matches, with Belgium now questioning the consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary process while the United States prepare to welcome back one of their most dangerous attacking players.
