08.07.2026, 01:36 Uhr
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it's still committed to "advocating for a review of the current FIFA regulations and their application" after a red-card suspension controversy involving United States forward Folarin Balogun.
"The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is proud of the way the Red Devils responded on the pitch yesterday (Monday). At the same time, the RBFA will continue to pursue the ongoing FIFA matter off the pitch," the federation said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The RBFA firmly believes that international football is best served by a disciplinary and governance framework that fully upholds the principles of legal certainty, transparency, equal treatment and fair play."
FIFA allowed Balogun to play against Belgium in the last 16 after he was sent off during the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun's red card triggered an automatic one-game ban, but FIFA suspended the ban in a near unprecedented move so he could play against Belgium. The Belgian appeal was rejected by FIFA.
The saga has rocked the World Cup and shocked the football community, with critics accusing governing body FIFA of giving in to alleged political meddling, with US President Donald Trump admitting that he asked for a review because "I didn't think it was a foul."
Belgium beat the US 4-1 in their match to advance to the quarter-finals, while Balogun barely had any impact.
"Regardless of the sporting outcome, the RBFA will continue to advocate for the correct and consistent application of these principles by FIFA, ensuring that any form of arbitrariness is avoided," the RBFA said.
Belgium face European champions Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Source: Dpa-international.com
