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FIFA handed the United States Men’s National Team a huge break on Sunday. The organization rescinded the controversial red card given to star striker Folarin Balogun during the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
That red card had already cost the U.S. dearly. They played more than 30 minutes a man down against Bosnia. Worse, it looked like Balogun would miss the round of 16 matchup against Belgium entirely.
But the U.S. government wasn’t willing to let that happen quietly.
They filed a legal challenge, arguing the referees botched the protocol during that Bosnia match. FIFA agreed. Using Article 27 of its disciplinary code, the organization placed Balogun on a one-year probationary period instead, wiping out the one-game suspension entirely.
Belgium had other plans.
Belgium Fires Back
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) didn’t hide its frustration. In a statement, the organization said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to clear Balogun for the USA-Belgium matchup.
“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,” the RBFA said.
Belgium didn’t stop at a statement, though. The federation moved straight to legal action.
On Monday morning, Adam Crafton of The Athletic reported that FIFA had granted Belgium’s request to appeal, putting the whole situation right back into question less than a day before kickoff.
“Belgium has appealed against FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-game ban handed to Folarin Balogun, less than 24 hours out from the team’s round of 16 game against the United States,” Crafton wrote.
FIFA set a tight deadline for both sides; the U.S. and Belgium had until 8 a.m. EST Monday to submit whatever evidence they wanted considered.
From there, the case goes to a member of FIFA’s appeals committee, someone with no ties to either UEFA or CONCACAF, who’ll make the final call.
If Belgium wins this appeal, Balogun’s original suspension comes right back. That would mean the USMNT heads into Monday night’s game without their star striker.
No verdict had come down as of this writing. BroBible will keep tracking this story and update as new information comes in throughout the day.
