The Belgian Football Association’s initial reaction to FIFA controversially suspending United States star Folarin Balogun’s red card has been revealed.

Balogun is now set to be available for the USMNT’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium at the World Cup on Tuesday (July 7th). FIFA have used Article 27 to suspend the former Arsenal star’s one-game ban, allowing him to continue playing in the tournament.

US President Donald Trump applauded FIFA for “doing what is right and reversing a great injustice.” While there has been widespread debate over Balogun’s challenge that led to his sending-off, there is outrage at the suspension of his ban.

Belgium React to Balogun Red Card Suspension

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Balogun’s sending-off came in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The American inadvertently left his studs on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf, although Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially didn’t punish the player.

VAR intervened, advising Claus to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and he brandished a red card. Backlash ensued following the decision, with manager Mauricio Pochettino furious and others comparing the foul to Lionel Messi’s in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria.

FIFA have since used Article 27 to suspend the one-game ban, a call that hasn’t gone down well in the footballing world. As well as with the Belgian FA, who have released a statement in response (via Fabrizio Romano):

The Belgians add that “this provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”

“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’

“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.”

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

De Standaard’s Bart Lagae reports that the Belgian FA president Pascale Van Damme has flown to Seattle. As an acting member of the FIFA Council, he is set to discuss the Balogun controversy.

Balogun is one of the USA’s most important players and is the nation’s top scorer with three goals in as many games. One of them came in the 2-0 win over Bosnia, and Belgium will have been preparing to face the Americans without their centre-forward.

Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad pointed out that Rudi Garcia would have to change his team’s preparations and that the Belgian coach “hadn’t factored this in”. They also claim that the European nation are the “victims of this” and downplay the likelihood of action changing the situation.

Ex-FIFA Referee Slams Decision

REUTERS/Henry Romero

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett deemed the suspension of Balogun’s one-game ban “unacceptable.” While writing on X, he pointed out that future red cards may well be deferred as a knock-on effect.

Cristiano Ronaldo is another beneficiary of Article 27 after he almost missed Portugal’s World Cup opening games. FIFA prevented that from happening by suspending a red card he received in his country’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier back in November.

Hackett urged all other competing nations, not just Belgium, to challenge FIFA’s decision. The suspension lasts a year and means Balogun won’t risk the ban coming into effect should the USA win at Seattle Stadium and progress further through the knockout rounds.

Football fans have been left stunned by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comments on FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card.

FIFA opted to invoke Article 27, which allows it to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban following a contentious sending-off in the United States’ World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The AS Monaco striker received his marching orders for a challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

The USA and their coach, Mauricio Pochettino, were outraged by the decision. Likewise, US president Donald Trump, who has since applauded FIFA for “doing the right thing” and “reversing a great injustice.”

Ibrahimovic ‘Happy’ After Balogun Red Card Suspended

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

FIFA haven’t reversed the red card decision but rather suspended the one-game ban for one year. For many, this is inexcusable given that others who have been sent off during a World Cup haven’t been allowed such treatment.

Balogun will now be available for the USA’s last 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday at Seattle Stadium. Not only are fans and the media calling it corruption, but the Belgian FA are also considering legal action over an “astonishing” decision.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, says he’s “happy” with the outcome and given a suspicious verdict on the situation. He said on American broadcaster FOX Sports:

Balogun has been crucial for Pochettino’s side, finding the net three times in as many outings. He scored in a 2-0 win over Bosnia before being sent down the tunnel for a foul that many, including Ibrahimovic, felt didn’t justify a red card.

There had already been a debate over the sending-off, but FIFA’s suspension has caused outrage. A volatile situation continues to spiral out of control and Ibrahimovic has dragged himself into the firing line.

‘Money Talks’ – Fans Slam Ibrahimovic

REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Ibrahimovic usually doesn’t mince his words and says how he feels, but some believe he’s played up to the American fanbase with his comments. The former Manchester United striker might live to regret giving his take on the Balogun saga.

One fan responded to a clip of the Swede with a brutal dig: “Zlatan has officially sold out.”

Another supporter added: “He’s lost all my respect after this…”

One wrote: “Now he has nothing to say about this unfair awful decision because he is on FOX Sports. Money talks and he shuts up.”

This was echoed by another: “Put money in his account and he will say whatever is needed.”

One fan questioned Ibrahimovic’s integrity: “Zlatan has no spine. Got a gig at an American channel and he will say anything to appease their audience.”

Another added: “Zlatan, who was hyped up as that tough guy, is this. As long as he can make money, he’ll easily betray football.”

Stephanie Lecocq via Reuters

Ibrahimovic’s FOX Sports colleague and former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry gave a more honest assessment. He pointed out that he didn’t think it was a red card, but that it changed everything for Belgium’s preparations.

Henry insisted a decision should have been made in the immediate aftermath of USA’s win over Bosnia. Balogun will nonetheless be in action and will most likely start in Tuesday’s game in Seattle, Washington.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed another deal for the summer transfer window as they continue to rebuild their squad for Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs have signed six players so far this summer, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka on free transfers, while Jan Paul van Hecke arrived for £52m, while Mateus Fernandes joined for £85m and Sandro Tonali signed in a £100m deal.

Luka Vuskovic has been allowed to depart for Brighton in a deal worth £50m plus a sell-on clause, and now the north London side have agreed a deal for another first-team star to move on.

Tottenham Agree Dragusin Deal

According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have agreed a loan with an obligation to buy with Fiorentina for defender Radu Dragusin to depart this summer.

The Romanian, who is known for his blistering speed, asked to leave this club this summer after seeing limited game time last season, while two new centre-back arrivals mean he had fallen even further down the pecking order.

Fiorentina tried to sign him in January but were blocked from doing so, but they have now agreed to pay a £1m loan fee to sign him this summer, with an obligation to buy next year for £15.5m already agreed.

Fiorentina will also cover the centre-back’s wages for the entirety of the 2026/27 season before making the deal permanent next summer.

Dragusin will not travel to Florence early next week to undergo a medical, before putting pen to paper on a contract to bring an end to his two-and-a-half-year spell in north London.

Tottenham Clearing The Squad Out

After making an early splurge to strengthen the squad and bring players in that De Zerbi wants as part of his side for the new season, Spurs are now making an effort to trim the far and clear out the dead wood.

Vuskovic wasn’t in the Italian’s plans and has been allowed to move on, and Dragusin is obviously in exactly the same boat, having fallen behind Romero, Van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Senesi, and Van Hecke in the squad.

More players will almost certainly be allowed to move on between now and the transfer window closing, but Dragusin is someone who won’t be too sorely missed.