FIFA deliver final verdict after Belgium appeal Folarin Balogun decision

FIFA have dismissed Belgium’s appeal of its decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban following the USA striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun was sent off for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic during the USA’s round of 32 victory last Thursday, meaning he had been in line to miss the co-hosts’ all-important last 16 contest with Belgium.

It subsequently emerged that United States President Donald Trump had personally spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the phone, encouraging the governing body to ‘review’ the decision.

Three days on from the USA’s win, FIFA confirmed that Balogun’s ban would be suspended for a year, a stunning move which left the Belgian Football Association ‘astonished’ and ‘investigating potential options’ by way of response.

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The highly controversial decision has rocked the wider footballing community to its core and drawn a fierce backlash from fans and pundits alike, with ex-England international Gary Neville among those to condemn the ‘shameful’ episode.

In a statement this evening, in the hours leading up to the USA’s last-16 clash, FIFA confirmed in an official statement that Belgium’s appeal had failed, clearing the Monaco forward to feature at Seattle Stadium.

‘The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA [Royal Belgian Football Association] is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,’ the statement read.

In response, the RBFA acknowledged the verdict before suggesting ‘further actions’ could still be explored.

A statement read: ‘To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure for a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report. Which is a breach of FIFA regulations.

‘The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet.

‘This leaves all further actions open.’

In an earlier statement, FIFA chief Infantino confirmed that he had indeed discussed Balogun’s one-match ban with President Trump on the phone.

However, the 56-year-old Swiss insisted the process remained entirely above board and remained independent and autonomous throughout.

‘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,’ Infantino said.

‘FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

‘Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.

‘During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.’

The statement went on: ‘I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

‘What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant.

‘Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.’

More to follow.