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Belgium is unhappy with FIFA’s decision to lift U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension.
The Royal Belgian Football Association released a statement on the matter on Sunday.
“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 on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).
“FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.
“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.
“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:
“‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’
“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.
“The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
Balogun received a straight red card in the United States’ World Cup win against Bosnia-Herzegovina after he got tangled up with Tarik Muharemović as the two were going for the ball.
Balogun stepped on Muharemović’s ankle, which led to the straight red card. Under FIFA rules, a player is automatically suspended when a player receives one.
But the star forward will now be available for the United States.
The New York Times reported President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino earlier this week and asked for the red card to be reviewed.
Belgium is set to play the United States on Monday in the Round of 16.
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