Sports

PLAY ON: FIFA Clears Balogun as Belgium’s World Cup Challenge Fails

posted by Hannity Staff - 7.06.26

Belgium struck out in its last-ditch effort to keep U.S. striker Folarin Balogun off the field.

Just hours before kickoff of the United States’ World Cup knockout clash against Belgium, FIFA rejected the Royal Belgian Football Association’s appeal challenging the governing body’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The FIFA Appeal Committee ruled that Belgium’s request couldn’t even be considered because the Belgian federation was not a party to the disciplinary proceedings.

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“The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA also emphasized that Appeal Committee chairman Neil Eggleston, an American, “was not involved in the decision,” apparently seeking to head off any accusations of bias.

The controversy stems from Balogun’s dismissal during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later took the unusual step of suspending the automatic one-match ban, making the U.S. forward immediately eligible for the Belgium showdown.

Belgium wasn’t satisfied.

After FIFA’s ruling, the Belgian federation blasted the process, saying it still had not received the documents explaining why Balogun had been cleared to play.

“To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision,” the federation said, adding that it had not received either the disciplinary ruling or the referee’s report.

The federation accused FIFA of violating its own regulations by withholding the documents and said it had formally notified the U.S. Soccer Federation that it contests Balogun’s eligibility if he appears on the official team sheet.

“This leaves all further actions open,” the RBFA warned.

Despite Belgium’s objections, FIFA’s ruling means Balogun remains eligible for the Round of 16 showdown, ending Belgium’s attempt to have one of the Americans’ top attacking threats ruled out before kickoff.

Any additional challenge by Belgium would likely come after the match through FIFA’s disciplinary or competition procedures rather than preventing Balogun from taking the field.

On Monday, President Trump detailed his conversation with FIFA President Gianni Infantino over Balogun’s controversial red card call.

Watch the clip below:

More over at The New York Post: