Belgium Appeals Folarin Balogun’s World Cup Suspension

In a shocking turn of events, the Belgian soccer federation has been granted the right to appeal the decision that led FIFA to lift the one-match suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun. The American player was sent off in the second half of the United States’ victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on a defender, which the referee punished with a red card following a VAR review.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee decided to overturn the decision on Sunday and allow Balogun to play against Belgium on Monday. However, Belgium will have the right to appeal against the controversial decision with submissions due Monday morning, and a ruling possible by game time, though FIFA would not guarantee that would be the case, according to a report from the Athletic.

Rudi Garcia, the manager of the Belgian national team, expressed his team’s stance on the matter during Sunday’s pre-match press conference: