Belgium questions Balogun's eligibility for World Cup game against USA

Belgium is contesting the eligibility of American striker Folarin Balogun for this Monday's World Cup round of 16 clash after the Royal Belgian Football Association said FIFA considered the letter sent by the team requesting a copy of the decision to be an inadmissible appeal.

FIFA lifted the red card punishment imposed on Balogun and cleared him to play in the round of 16 after US President Donald Trump personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.

The Royal Belgian Football Federation said it has not yet received any decision or explanation from FIFA regarding Balogun's eligibility. "Therefore, there is no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the next match," stated the RBFA.

FIFA rejected challenge
RBFA stated that FIFA considered its correspondence as an appeal and rejected it on technical grounds. "For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA's own regulations stipulate that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant", stated the RBFA.

"While the RBFA sought only legitimate explanations, FIFA itself opened an appeal and immediately ensured that it was declared inadmissible."

"All of this occurred while FIFA refused to respond to RBFA's legitimate requests."

The RBFA also stated that FIFA removed the section on automatic player suspension from a pre-match coordination meeting presentation and failed to explain the change despite repeated oral and written requests.

"Regardless of the sporting outcome of this game, the RBFA is deeply concerned about the turn of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defense of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition and the interests of football as a whole", added the RBFA.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.

Uefa blasts FIFA for releasing Balogun for the World Cup: "He crossed a red line"

Source: CNN