The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has vowed to challenge FIFA's controversial decision to overturn a red card suspension for US player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium. The federation accused FIFA of failing to follow proper protocol in the appeal process.

In a statement, the RBFA said it had 'no alternative but to challenge [Balogun's] eligibility for the upcoming match' and expressed deep concern over the events. The federation's appeal was later deemed 'inadmissible' by FIFA's Appeal Committee, and the RBFA accused FIFA of a 'breach' of regulations for not providing justifications.

The decision to lift Balogun's one-game suspension came shortly after US President Donald Trump spoke directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Critics have raised allegations of political meddling, noting that FIFA rarely reverses game suspensions during the World Cup. If Balogun plays, it would be the first time since 1962 that a red card at the World Cup did not result in a suspension.

Trump denied directly influencing FIFA's decision, telling reporters, 'All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn't think it was a foul.' He also called referee Raphael Claus 'very suspect.' Infantino claimed he was not involved in the decision and only learned of it after its release.

While some pundits have questioned the red card decision, the incident has cast a pall over the tournament, with observers warning that Trump's intervention could taint any future success of the US team. 'This is embarrassing to a wonderful US team and a wonderful player,' wrote Professor Shibley Telhami. 'Keep politics out. Now, a win will be diminished.'

Source: www.aljazeera.com