Belgium Questions FIFA Decision Despite Comfortable Win Over United States

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a “sense of injustice” after FIFA suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban just before their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash. Balogun had appeared set to miss the match after receiving a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round.

FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban for 12 months drew criticism from several quarters, including UEFA, the Belgian football federation and England manager Thomas Tuchel. The move also became a political talking point after US President Donald Trump said he had asked FIFA to review the suspension, arguing that Balogun’s absence would have been detrimental to the tournament.

Despite the controversy, Belgium produced an emphatic performance to defeat tournament co-hosts the United States 4-1 in Seattle, securing a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Balogun started the match for the United States but was unable to prevent Belgium’s convincing victory.