FIFA Rejects Belgium's Challenge on US Player

FIFA has quickly shut down Belgium's bid to keep US striker Folarin Balogun off the field, clearing him to play in Monday's World Cup knockout match in Seattle. The Royal Belgian Football Association had challenged FIFA's surprise decision to suspend Balogun's one-game ban, but FIFA shot down the challenge, reports Reuters. "The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision," said a FIFA statement.

That seems to be the end of the story, but the RBFA says it is still exploring "further actions," notes the Athletic. The game starts at 8pm Eastern. Earlier, President Trump defended his intervention in the matter, saying he called FIFA's chief to request a review of the red card issued to Balogun in the team's last game. The Belgian team says it has yet to receive a full explanation for the extraordinary reversal.