The USA take on Belgium in the last-16 of the World Cup but the game has been marred by controversy with Folarin Balgoun in the starting XI having seen a ban overturned by FIFA
Folarin Balogun has controversially been named in the USA’s staring XI for their World Cup clash with Belgium. The forward was initially suspended for the game following a red card that he was awarded against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
But it was then announced that Balogun’s ban had been suspended for a year following a review by a FIFA Disciplinary Committee. It was just the second time that a red card had ever been overturned in a World Cup.
That has seen criticism directed at FIFA from all quarters, with UEFA expressing their “disbelief” and saying that the overturn was was “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. Meanwhile, the Belgian FA said that it would contest the eligibility of Balogun’s place in the game, after previously stating that they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the situation.
Balogun was also hit with a $40,000 (£29.8k) fine by FIFA for his red card despite the decision to overturn it. Half of that fine is payable by the US Soccer Federation.
Regardless, USA boss Mauricio Pochettino has handed Balogun a place in the starting XI against Belgium. The forward will be hoping to add to the three goals that he has scored at the tournament so far.
The decision comes after a lengthy statement from FIFA President Gianni Infantino explaining the conversation he had with US President Donald Trump regarding Balogun’s ban.
He wrote: “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.
“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.
“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.”
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