The Belgian football federation wants explanation from FIFA about a decision to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup despite getting a red card in his previous game.
Belgium take on the USMNT later on Monday for a spot in the quarterfinals.
FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round-of-6 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from U.S. President Donald Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team.
It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension.
The Belgian federation (RBFA) said it has still not received either “FIFA’s decision or any explanation regarding this matter. In these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”
It did not specify where it intends to appeal FIFA’s decision.
Trump intervened on behalf of star U.S. forward Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allowed him to play against Belgium.
On Monday, a U.S. official told ABC News that Trump spoke to Infantino because he wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension.
The official said Trump was told that the appeal process is run by an independent board.
The U.S. government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.
The Belgian federation said it learned through media reports about the FIFA’s move and sent a letter to the governing body requesting a copy of the decision as well as an explanation of the process.
In Monday’s update the RBFA said that FIFA’s regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant.
“Following its previous statement, the RBFA wishes to publicly explain the events of the past few hours.
