FIFA grants Belgium appeal over reversal of US forward Balogun's suspension
FIFA has allowed Belgium to appeal its decision to overturn a one-match ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, with submissions due before the Round of 16 match against the United States.
FIFA announced on Sunday that Belgium may appeal the governing body's reversal of a one-game suspension imposed on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun after he was sent off for a red-card offence against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both the U.S. Soccer Federation and the Belgian federation must submit their arguments to FIFA by 5 a.m. PT, after which an independent member of the FIFA appeals committee, not affiliated with FIFA, UEFA or CONCACAF, will review the case. FIFA did not guarantee that a ruling will be issued before the Round of 16 match scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Seattle.
Balogun received the red card in the 64th minute of the United States' 2-0 win, after officials determined he stepped on an opponent's ankle during a contest for position. He had earlier scored in the match, and the U.S. team played the final 30 minutes with ten men. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said the team had already been “punished enough” by having to finish the game short-handed.
UEFA issued a statement criticizing the reversal, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and emphasizing that a mandatory one-match suspension for a red card is not discretionary. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also warned that football must not become a “playground for political power.”
The appeal process will proceed quickly, but a final decision may not be reached before the United States faces Belgium in the knockout stage.