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FIFA has rejected Belgium’s appeal over the decision to suspend US World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension for a red card in a round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The FIFA Appeal Committee issued a statement hours before the start of the match between the United States and Belgium.
“The FIFA Appeal Committee has declared inadmissible an application submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) in relation to the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend for one year the match ban imposed on US national team player Folarin Balogun following his expulsion for a direct red card during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, played on 1 July 2026 in the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium,” FIFA said. “The president of the FIFA Appeal Committee, Neil Eggleston (of the United States), was not involved in the decision.
“The application was declared inadmissible because the RBFA is not a party to the process and, as such, has no ability to appeal the decision.”
The RBFA responded after the decision was made.
“To date, the RBFA has not yet received any basis for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the beginning of this procedure, that is, a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible, as well as the referee’s report. Which is a violation of FIFA rules,” the federation said.
“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it is questioning the player’s eligibility, should the player appear on the referee team sheet. This leaves all further action open.”
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
