Monday, July 6, 2026

FIFA REJECTS BELGIUM'S CHALLENGE TO BALOGUN'S ELIGIBILITY HOURS BEFORE FIFA WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MATCH

FIFA's Appeal Committee has rejected Belgium's challenge to the eligibility of United States striker Folarin Balogun ahead of tonight's FIFA World Cup round-of-sixteen match in Seattle, after US President Donald Trump confirmed he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the player's red card.

Balogun's one-match ban was deferred for a probationary period of one year — a move UEFA called "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" — while Belgium's football association says it was given no explanation for the reversal.

FIFA President Infantino has issued a statement defending the independence of the disciplinary process.

From Washington, Jagruti Dave reports.

IN: “They're saying that...”
OUT: “...for the infringement.”
DUR: 36 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0706-1830dave-redcard2.mp3