Belgium enjoy last laugh over USA after Balogun scandal rocks World Cup

July 7 – In the biggest sporting scandal in World Cup history, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump conspired to free Folarin Balogun to play for the United States in their round of sixteen fixture against Belgium and undermine the sporting integrity of the tournament, but Rudi Garcia’s team wiped the floor with the co-hosts.

FIFA’s own rules prohibit political interference, but on Monday, Trump confirmed that he asked Infantino to review Balogun’s red-card suspension.  Infantino and his organisation quickly saw to it that Trump’s wishes were complied with.

After FIFA had paved the way, the world governing body’s disciplinary committee dismissed a legal challenge from Belgium just eight hours before kick-off.

The Belgians requested the written reasons for the decision but did not receive them, and FIFA ruled their request amounted to an appeal with no standing, dismissing it.The Belgian FA (RBFA) described this as “a breach of FIFA regulations” and added that it had “informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet.”

Under pressure, Infantino released an unconvincing statement of his own. He detailed the call with Trump: “I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies.”

He added: “I read the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.”

In its decision, FIFA had cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which says a “judicial body” can “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

Facing a scandal of its own making, FIFA desperately sought to muddy the waters, arguing that the one-match ban had not been lifted but just made probationary.

UEFA criticised FIFA for “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” and warned “the integrity of the game is at stake.”

In a statement, aligning with UEFA, the Norwegian Football Federation and its President Lise Klaveness slammed FIFA, stating that “there is reason for concern regarding the integrity of the competition, political interference in sporting matters, and the credibility of football.”

The Swiss FA followed: “The credibility of the competition depends on clear rules that are applied consistently.” There was, however, no statement from the English FA.

It’s also understood that Belgian FA president Pascale Van Damme was keen to tow the FIFA party line. Van Damme is a FIFA council member, which earns her $250,000 a year.

FIFA fired back. The organisation’s disciplinary committee said in a very lengthy statement, full of legalese but with little substance that “reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game.” However, when Inside World Football wrote to FIFA to demand a list of examples of this happening to UEFA-affiliated members, it received no reply.

After an absurd day of statements, back-and-forths and politicking, the two teams walked on to the pitch and Seattle and played for a spot in the last eight against Spain. Balogun was a peripheral figure as the hosts slumped to a 4-1 defeat. Belgium had the last say. Their official social media account trolled US Soccer, FIFA and Trump, posting: “Overturn this.”

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [email protected]