Belgian FA reacts to FIFA's final verdict on Folarin Balogun ban

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has responded after FIFA rejected its appeal against the decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup round of 16 despite being sent off in the previous round.

On Sunday (July 5), FIFA confirmed that it had decided to suspend Balogun's one-match ban, which he received after being sent off in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, for one year, therefore clearing him to play against Belgium.

In a statement, global football's governing body cited Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

"In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," the statement read.

"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

The decision was heavily criticised by fans, pundits and even managers, with UEFA accusing FIFA of "crossing a red line" before adding that the move was "incomprehensible and unjustifiable".

READ NEXT: Gianni Infantino issues strongly worded statement addressing Folarin Balogun's red card suspension

After initial reports that US President Donald Trump had personally contacted FIFA, the 80-year-old spoke out on the topic on Monday (July 6), confirming he "asked FIFA to review" the decision.

"I spoke to a man who's highly respected and, by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold. And he was good before this started. But, you know, he really pushed it in this country," Trump said.

"I'm the one who got them to do it. It was not Biden. Biden was asleep. I got him to do it. In fact, it was very sad because I got him to do it. And if the progression was normal, I would have been retired now."

Earlier on Monday, the RBFA lodged an appeal, having released two strongly worded statements describing how it was "astonished by the decision".

Belgian FA reacts to FIFA decision

However, the appeal has since been deemed "inadmissible" by FIFA's Appeals Committee, which explained that "the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision".

The RBFA later released another statement claiming FIFA had breached its own regulations in relation to not receiving any grounds for the decision.

The RBFA's response read: "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has received the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee, signed by its member Mr Salman Al-Ansari, which declares the RBFA's case inadmissible and confirms the earlier decision allowing United States player Folarin Balogun to play.

“To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure, a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible, as well as the referee's report, which is a breach of FIFA regulations.

"The RBFA has 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.

"This leaves all further actions open."

If the USA beat Belgium in Seattle, they will reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.