Belgium has blasted FIFA over its controversial decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension, vowing to “defend football” when it faces the United States in Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash.
The decision, announced a day before Monday’s World Cup knockout match in Seattle, has triggered widespread criticism from Belgian football authorities, rival coaches and former players, with many questioning both the timing of the ruling and reports of political involvement.
According to Forbes, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision, arguing that the governing body’s disciplinary code clearly states that a red card carries an automatic suspension for the next match, “as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”
The federation added that it was examining “all potential options” to safeguard the “legitimate rights” of participating teams and protect the “principles of fair play.”
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also criticised the decision during his pre-match press conference.
He said he did not realise that July 5 at the World Cup was “April Fool’s Day.”
Garcia added that Belgium would not only be representing the country when it faces the United States but would also be “defending football with its ethics and integrity.”
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted the squad was surprised by the late decision but insisted it would not affect the team’s focus ahead of the knockout fixture.
The controversy has spread beyond Belgium, with England manager Thomas Tuchel also questioning FIFA’s handling of the matter after his side defeated Mexico to reach the quarter-finals.
England will be without defender Jarell Quansah after he received an automatic suspension following his dismissal against Mexico.
Reacting to Balogun’s reinstatement, Tuchel asked: “Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me.”
When asked whether England should also ask United States President Donald Trump to intervene over Quansah’s suspension, Tuchel joked: “Maybe, that’s a good starting point.”
Former England captain Wayne Rooney was equally critical of FIFA’s decision.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Rooney described the ruling as “an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this. The sportsmanship of the game is in question here.”
Former France striker Thierry Henry, speaking on Fox Sports, said the late decision was likely to have disrupted Belgium’s preparations.
Although Henry maintained that Balogun should not have been sent off in the first place, he criticised FIFA for taking so long to reach its verdict, arguing that the delay created unnecessary uncertainty ahead of one of the tournament’s biggest knockout fixtures.
Balogun’s suspension was lifted after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing the United States forward to play against Belgium despite receiving a straight red card in the previous round.
The decision followed reports that President Donald Trump had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the suspension was overturned, although FIFA has maintained that disciplinary matters are handled exclusively by its independent judicial bodies.