The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has formally requested an explanation from FIFA regarding its controversial decision to allow forward Folarin Balogun to play in the upcoming World Cup match against Belgium. This decision, announced on July 6, 2026, follows Balogun's red card from a previous game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
FIFA's Unprecedented Decision
On Sunday, FIFA lifted Balogun's suspension, a move that has sparked significant backlash from the Belgian federation. This action marked the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension. The RBFA expressed outrage, stating that they had not been informed of the process leading to this decision.
In a lengthy statement, the RBFA demanded transparency about FIFA's decision-making process, citing a lack of communication from the governing body. They noted, "After learning through media reports of FIFA's decision to lift the automatic suspension of player Balogun, the RBFA sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations."
RBFA's Appeal and Concerns
The RBFA's statement highlighted that FIFA had characterized their inquiry as an appeal, appointing a judge and giving the RBFA a limited timeframe to respond. However, the RBFA argued that no substantial information was provided by FIFA, stating, "For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA's own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant."
