Belgium knocks US out of World Cup after Balogun controversy

Belgium secured its place in the World Cup quarterfinals after beating the US 4-1 in Seattle.

Atalanta attacker Charles de Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium, with Hans Vanaken scoring the third after a mistake by US goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Romelu Lukaku added the fourth in stoppage time after another mistake in the US defense

Germany-born Malik Tillman temporarily equalized for the US in the 31st minute.

The defeat signals the end of the US’ World Cup campaign, marking the last host country to have been eliminated.

Belgium will face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday, July 10.

FIFA decision causes uproar

The game was overshadowed by FIFA’s decision to overturn a red card received by US striker Folarin Balogun, who featured in the US’ starting eleven for the game without leaving any impact.

US President Donald Trump admitted to having spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about Balogun’s red card, which would have prompted a ban from the last 16 game against Belgium, with world football’s governing body later announcing the red card as suspended for one year.

FIFA’s own statutes forbid any kind of governmental or political interference with the work and decision making of its member associations, with world football’s governing body previously sanctioning national associations for such interference taking place.

Kuwait and Indonesia, for example, were disqualified from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers due to governmental interference in the two countries’ respective football associations.

Infantino, Trump defend decision

Infantino claimed the decision had been made by FIFA’s disciplinary committee and that Trump’s phone call had no influence on it.

“During our conversation I explained that there was an ongoing legal process,” Infantino said in a statement, adding that FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent.

“This is how FIFA’s system works and it is a principle I will always uphold,” he said.

Trump, too, said he had only asked for the red card to be reviewed.

Belgium’s football association appealed the decision ahead of the game, but its appeal was rejected by FIFA.

FIFA’s decision caused large-scale criticism across world football, including by European football’s governing body UEFA and many national associations and high-profile figures across the game.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

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