FIFA has declared Belgium’s appeal against the decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun inadmissible, confirming the forward remains eligible to feature in the World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
In a statement released on Monday, FIFA said its Appeal Committee rejected the request filed by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), allowing the earlier disciplinary ruling to stand.
“The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible in relation to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision to suspend for one year the match suspension imposed on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun,” the statement read.
Belgium had challenged FIFA’s controversial decision after Balogun received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The striker was sent off for stepping on the foot of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Although the dismissal ordinarily carried an automatic one-match suspension, FIFA ruled that the sanction would be suspended for a probationary period of one year under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, making Balogun available for the knockout fixture.
The decision has generated widespread debate across the football community.
UEFA criticised the ruling, describing it as a move that “crossed a red line,” while former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp condemned the intervention, insisting the incident warranted the standard disciplinary punishment.
“It’s a red card. Even if it’s unfortunate for Balogun, the rules are clear,” Klopp said.
The controversy intensified after United States President Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for allowing Balogun to play, prompting further criticism from observers who questioned whether external influence played any role in the decision.
The United States and Belgium are scheduled to meet in their highly anticipated Round of 16 encounter on July 7, with Balogun now available to lead the American attack.