Belgium comfortably defeated World Cup co-hosts the United States 4-1 in Seattle, channelising a fierce “sense of injustice” following an unprecedented pre-match ruling by FIFA.
US striker Folarin Balogun appeared certain to miss the last-16 tie after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.
However, FIFA sensationally suspended the 25-year-old’s automatic one-match ban for 12 months just before kick-off, allowing him to start. The highly controversial decision drew widespread condemnation across global football, with UEFA, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), and England manager Thomas Tuchel all speaking out against the ruling.
The controversy deepened on Monday when US President Donald Trump confirmed at the White House that he had personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the ban.
Trump argued that the suspension of the striker would have left a “big stain” on the tournament, adding that he “didn’t think it was a foul.” While Trump maintained that an independent commission made the final decision, UEFA firmly stated that intervening to cancel a tournament suspension “crossed a red line.”
The RBFA had vehemently appealed the eligibility of the player, but a FIFA committee rejected the protest, ruling that Belgium were not an interested party. Out of 190 red cards in World Cup history, Balogun is only the second player to escape a suspension, joining Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962 before automatic bans were implemented.
England boss Tuchel highlighted the dangerous precedent, especially after Three Lions defender Jarell Quansah was sent off in their 3-2 win over Mexico. “Where to draw the line is the question that I ask,” Tuchel stated.
Despite the political drama, the Red Devils delivered a commanding performance on the pitch. Following their fourth goal, several Belgian players mocked the debacle by performing the iconic ‘Trump dance’ on the field. The national team’s official Instagram account also posted a picture of Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the pointed caption: “overturn this.”
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field,” explained Rangers and Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin. Captain Youri Tielemans echoed the sentiment, asserting that the political noise only served to boost squad motivation.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia took a diplomatic approach, revealing that Balogun came to speak with him after the final whistle. “It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him,” Garcia said, praising his squad’s maturity.
The fallout extended to international politics, with Iran’s official football website mocking the American defeat alongside a screenshot of their own previous draw against Belgium, declaring it a “humiliating defeat of politics against football.”
Read more – Ronaldo’s World Cup Dream Ends in Tears as Spain Edge Portugal
Also see – Neymar says Brazil career over after Norway defeat
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