World Cup 2026
- Thread starter Joe516
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Joe516
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Belgium has been granted the right to appeal against FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-game ban handed to Folarin Balogun, less than 24 hours out from the team’s round of 16 game against the United States.
So apparently, according to the Athletic.....
Belgium wrote to FIFA asking to appeal FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's red card. FIFA said yes - they could appeal to FIFA and a member of the appeal committee (who does not represent UEFA or CONCACAF) would hear the appeal.
Both Belgium and the USA have to submit their cases by 6pm UK time (7 hours before kickoff). FIFA have not guaranteed that a decision will be forthcoming before kick off.
Belgium have asked for the full reasoning behind the decision which has not been made public to do so. They have not received this from FIFA and FIFA do not have to give their reasoning if they don't want to.
It has been confirmed that a phone call took place between the White House and Infantino. Trump has congratulated FIFA on their decision calling it "justice"
Meanwhile, UEFA have made a, statement on the matter...…
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.
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. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.
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. 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.
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.
We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.
So apparently, according to the Athletic.....
Belgium wrote to FIFA asking to appeal FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's red card. FIFA said yes - they could appeal to FIFA and a member of the appeal committee (who does not represent UEFA or CONCACAF) would hear the appeal.
Both Belgium and the USA have to submit their cases by 6pm UK time (7 hours before kickoff). FIFA have not guaranteed that a decision will be forthcoming before kick off.
Belgium have asked for the full reasoning behind the decision which has not been made public to do so. They have not received this from FIFA and FIFA do not have to give their reasoning if they don't want to.
It has been confirmed that a phone call took place between the White House and Infantino. Trump has congratulated FIFA on their decision calling it "justice"
Meanwhile, UEFA have made a, statement on the matter...…
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.
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. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.
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. 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.
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.
We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.
