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Folarin Balogun suspension drama not over yet as Belgium gets last-minute appeal with ‘red line’ crossed
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- Folarin Balogun suspension drama not over yet as Belgium gets last-minute appeal with ‘red line’ crossed
Belgian soccer officials on Monday were granted the right to appeal the ruling that resulted in USMNT's ace Folarin Balogun's ban being overturned — before UEFA blasted FIFA, saying the organization had "crossed a red line."
Bosses of the Belgian federation wrote to FIFA chiefs, saying they were "astonished" by the dramatic decision, and the right to appeal has now been given the green light, anonymous sources told the Athletic.
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It now means a member of the FIFA appeals committee – who is not part of UEFA or CONCACAF – will now hear Belgium 's case.
Folarin Balogun was consoled after being sent off during US Soccer's round of 32 clash. REUTERS
Belgium and US Soccer bosses were ordered to make submissions by 8 a.m. EST Monday ahead of the appeal being heard.
It's possible a ruling could be made before the Round of 16 game kicks off – but Belgian soccer authorities have reportedly not been given any guarantees.
It's not known if the outcome of the appeal will result in Balogun's ban being re-imposed.
FIFA's ruling has mystified European soccer federations. UEFA said FIFA "crossed a red line" by not enforcing Balogun's one-game suspension following his dismissal against Bosnia last week.
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"Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," UEFA chiefs said.
"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not."
Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans controls the ball on the training field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
UEFA warned how Balogun ruling could affect the integrity of the rest of the World Cup, branding the decision as "incomprehensible," and "unjustifiable."
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"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," UEFA said.
"Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.
Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia slammed the decision made by FIFA bosses. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws.
"A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.
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We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
Balogun was dismissed during USMNT 's 2-0 win for what video assistant referees ruled as serious foul play.
The referee on the field initially didn't blow his whistle for a foul on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović but was ordered to review the challenge on a monitor.
Balogun's one-game ban has been overturned. Xinhua/Shutterstock
The decision was highly controversial due to the use of slow motion, which made the foul look far worse than it did in real time, as well as that Balogun didn't appear to have any intent; rather, he didn't seem to have another place to put his foot.
