Belgium say FIFA suspension of Balogun ban sparked injustice before Seattle last-16 defeat of USA

What happened, where, who announced it, when and main outcome: Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said the squad felt a “sense of injustice” after FIFA suspended the automatic one‑match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun on the eve of their World Cup last‑16 match in Seattle, a decision criticised by Belgium, UEFA and England’s coach, and followed by Belgium’s 4‑1 victory over the USA on Monday.

Balogun, 25, had received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia‑Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round and appeared certain to miss the tie, but on Sunday FIFA suspended the automatic ban for 12 months, prompting immediate controversy.

Raskin said the episode affected the squad off the field and increased their determination to respond on it. Belgium captain Youri Tielemans echoed that view, saying the team resolved to answer the decision through their performance.

Balogun started the match in Seattle after the suspension and the United States were beaten 4‑1. After Belgium’s fourth goal several players were pictured performing a dance resembling the gesture associated with Donald Trump; the Belgian FA’s Instagram account also posted an image of Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption “overturn this.”

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said Balogun approached him after the game and he told reporters the player was not to blame. Garcia emphasised that the team’s focus remained on their game plan and praised the group’s maturity.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s move and informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contested Balogun’s eligibility. The RBFA appealed but a FIFA committee ruled Belgium were not an interested party in the original decision, since they were not involved when the ruling was made.

UEFA and England manager Thomas Tuchel criticised the intervention, with Tuchel warning it set a difficult precedent and asking where to draw the line. Of the 189 red cards at the World Cup, only once has a player previously escaped a suspension, Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, before automatic bans existed.

US President Donald Trump said he had asked FIFA to review the decision and described the suspension as the “right decision” that avoided leaving a “big stain” on the tournament; he also said he had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino but only requested a review.

International reactions included Iran posting a comparison of its draw with Belgium alongside the USA’s defeat, with a comment framing the result as a humiliation of politics by football. The affair continued to draw comment from football bodies and political figures in the days after the ruling.