Belgium inform USMNT they will seek appeal if Folarin Balogun plays | OneFootball

It looks as if Folarin Balogun will be cleared to play for the USMNT against Belgium in their Round of 16 World Cup tie, following the rejection of the Belgian appeal. Balogun’s eligibility is one of the biggest stories at the World Cup, and on Monday, US President Donald Trump confirmed he had intervened in the matter.

Balogun was due to be banned for the clash in Seattle after being sent off during their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the prior round, serving the obligatory one-game ban. However over the weekend, FIFA announced that they had turned his ban into a suspended sentence, causing uproar. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirmed they had appealed the decision, but that has been turned down by FIFA. Earlier in the day, Trump confirmed he had spoken to FIFA about lifting Balogun’s ban.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defends decision

Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Ahead of the decision to reject the Belgian appeal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the call, and seemed to imply that he had not been involved in the matter.

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent Fifa Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of Fifa’s governance.

Belgium inform US Soccer of intended complaint

Image via Getty Images.

As reported by The Guardian, the RBFA have informed US Soccer of their intention to file a complaint against them if Balogun takes to the field. They will claim that the USMNT have fielded an ineligible player if he does play, detailing that they are yet to be given any explanation as to why Balogun’s ban has been suspended. If the Belgian FA were successful in their complaint, then the USMNT would be awarded a 3-0 defeat and eliminated from the tournament. Given FIFA’s behaviour so far though, it seems there is a fair chance of escaping punishment.