Fulcrum29
Honorary Master
The presidential intervention is something that should never have happened. It sets a bad precedent, and corrupts the sporting body and its codes. Integrity above all. That said, Belgium is doubting themselves. That only happens when you don't believe that you can make it. Neither Belgium nor the USA is going beyond the QFs.
USA may be THROWN OUT of World Cup if Balogun plays Belgium despite Fifa backing
BELGIUM are ready to ask sport’s ultimate court to BOOT the USA out of the World Cup if they lose to a team including Folarin Balogun. The Red Devils are furious after Donald Trump’s personal…www.thesun.co.uk
BELGIUM are ready to ask sport’s ultimate court to BOOT the USA out of the World Cup if they lose to a team including Folarin Balogun on Tuesday.
The Red Devils are furious after Donald Trump’s personal intervention saw Fifarip up their own rulebook to allow former Arsenal striker Balogun to feature against them in the Seattle last-16 clash despite his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Belgium’s indignation went off the scale even further when a Fifa committee ruled their protest “inadmissible” because they were NOT a party to the original decision.
And Brussels FA chiefs gave the US team a blatant warning that they will be prepared to go nuclear and demand the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne kick America out of the World Cup if Balogun plays.
Confirming its appeal against Balogun’s clearance to play had been rejected, Belgium said: “To date, the Royal Belgian FA 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.
“Fifa has yet to provide us with a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report – this 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.”
As refusing to play if Balogun is selected would lead to a forfeit, Belgium have indicated their likely actions.
CAS has the ability to hold an expedited hearing over the next 48 hours and make a final decision before the scheduled quarter-final date in Los Angeles on Friday.
Belgium will argue that the USMNT had fielded an ineligible player under Fifa’s regulations – that a player receiving a red card must have a mandatory minimum one game suspension.
Therefore, that would mean, under Fifa rules, the result would HAVE to be reversed with Belgium awarded a 3-0 win.
They better ask questions at their own camp.
