The red-card controversy just won't end. Belgium on Monday said it was challenging FIFA's decision to let US striker Folarin Balogun play in the match that is now only hours away. Balogun received a red card in his last game, which under normal circumstances would have barred him from playing Monday night, but FIFA suspended the penalty after President Trump spoke with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. The move has caused an uproar, with Europe's soccer body complaining that it "crossed a red line" on fairness. On Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it still has not received an explanation on how or why the penalty was suspended, reports the AP.
"In these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match," said an RBFA statement. But even this challenge appears to have controversy—and confusion—attached. The RBFA said it initially sent a letter to FIFA seeking clarity, then received a reply informing them that the inquiry had triggered an official appeal—which gave the RBFA only a few hours to complete the process, reports the Athletic. But Belgian authorities are "exasperated" because they have yet to receive the FIFA decision for review.
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"While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible," said the RBFA statement. However the appeal shakes out, the game starts at 8pm Eastern.
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