RBFA Considers CAS Appeal After FIFA Lifts Balogun's Red Card Ban

Garcia hits out at FIFA after Balogun Suspension overturned

FIFA used Article 27 to put Balogun's one-game ban on probation, making him eligible to face Belgium. Garcia slammed the timing while Courtois said he is ready.

‘I thought it was April Fool's Day' says Garcia as he hits out at FIFA over Balogun ban reversal...

Rudi Garcia compared FIFA reinstating USA striker Folarin Balogun for the last-16 match against co-hosts Belgium to calling July 5th 'April Fool's Day'. Balogun had been handed a one-match ban for a straight red against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the 2-0 round of 32 win, but that suspension was lifted.

Earlier on Monday, FIFA confirmed Balogun would be eligible to face the Red Devils in Seattle. Using Article 27, the disciplinary committee overturned the initial one-game ban and instead placed it on a one-year probation.

Folarin Balogun’s tackle on Tarik Muharemovic was not punished at first. He was only shown a red card after the referee reviewed it on VAR.

The ruling came less than 24 hours before the crucial last-16 tie. At his pre-match press conference, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia joked that July 5th should be renamed to mark the decision.

Reports on Sunday also claimed that US President Donald Trump had personally contacted FIFA to push for the ban to be overturned. FIFA, however, said the calls had no influence on the independent disciplinary committee’s ruling.

When asked about Trump’s reported involvement, Garcia told reporters not to get distracted by it. He said his focus was entirely on the match.

He said: “I didn’t know that July 5th was April Fool’s Day; it’s new news for me. Our thoughts and opinions are in the statement - we are defending football; it’s the first time in World Cup history that this decision has been made.

“I will focus on my job as head coach, regardless of what team the USA play.”

The Belgian FA, the RBFA, said it was 'astonished' by FIFA’s ruling. In a statement, it added that it is 'looking at all possible options' to 'protect the rightful interests of every team in the tournament'.

That could include an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if Belgium chooses to pursue legal action.

He added: “We have to improve, we can improve our consistency during the game. We must reach the Belgian level that I am expecting from the kick-off to the final whistle. We need to be more consistent for the 90 minutes.”

Thibaut Courtois was also at the press conference. The goalkeeper will make his 20th World Cup appearance for Belgium against the USA. He was in goal the last time the two teams met at this stage in 2014, when Belgium won in extra time.

He said of the Balogun news: “We talked about it for five minutes; maybe not everyone saw the news, it’s not making such a big difference. It doesn’t change anything; it will be played on the pitch. We want to be ready for them tactically, physically, mentally.”

The news broke less than 24 hours before kick-off, but Courtois said he is fully ready to deal with the pacey striker.

The 34-year-old added: “We always prepare for all the strikers. He is a very fast striker, a different profile than (Ricardo) Pepi. They have a lot of quality up front; they create a lot of one-v-ones on the goalkeeper.

“The goalkeeping coaches have looked at all the penalties for Balogun. For the 11 that will start, we will be ready for each of them.”