Rudi Garcia criticises FIFA move to lift Folarin Balogun ban before USA tie | OneFootball

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia criticised FIFA’s decision to reinstate United States forward Folarin Balogun before their World Cup last-16 tie, scheduled for 2am on Tuesday.

At his eve-of-match press conference, a FIFA officer read the governing body’s statement and told reporters to email questions, and the issue arrived with the first query. According to L'Équipe, Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then had his one-match ban lifted, provoking a stir in Belgium.

Garcia answered with irony, saying 5 July at FIFA seemed to pass for 1 April in Europe. He pointed to the Belgian federation’s statements, saying they defend football’s integrity and ethics, and said that, to his knowledge, such a decision was a World Cup first. He added he would focus on his team and winning a quarter-final place, regardless of the USA’s XI.

Asked if Balogun’s availability altered anything, Garcia said it would not, putting the chance at zero per cent.

Thibaut Courtois said players were focused on winning on the pitch and that any response was for the federation, although he was surprised by the timing. He noted Balogun’s pace and different profile, and also flagged Dest and Pulisic. In his view, the USA often create one-on-ones in the box and their first goal against Australia came that way.

Source: L'Équipe