Belgium Wins Right to Appeal Balogun Ban Reversal as Trump Clears 3-goal U.S. striker
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 6
Belgium Wins Right to Appeal Balogun Ban Reversal as Trump Clears 3-goal U.S. striker
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 6
Summary
Belgian soccer authorities secured the right to challenge FIFA's decision to let Folarin Balogun play in Monday's Round of 16 match against Belgium after his automatic one-game ban was overturned.
FIFA reversed the suspension Sunday after Trump asked president Gianni Infantino to review the red card, with U.S. officials saying they supplied additional evidence tied to the referee's replay review.
UEFA called the move "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," saying FIFA had crossed a "red line" and risked undermining rule certainty and the tournament's integrity.
Balogun, 25, was sent off in a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday; FIFA then suspended implementation of the ban for 1 year under Article 27 of its disciplinary code.
The dispute lands hours before the 8 p.m. ET match in Seattle, where the winner advances to face either Portugal or Spain in the quarterfinals.