🚨⚠️ OFFICIAL: Belgian Federation statement on Folarin Balogun red card case, saying they are “astonished”.
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).
FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
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.”
Here you go @olly_manning your hat-trick this morning for Seale FC. Not sure the keeper covered himself in glory though ;) To put the comments at the end of the 3rd goal into perspective the 4th video is Alex Penny being robbed by the wheel inside the goal. #playsaturdaysyoumug
Eight weeks out and back with another hat-trick. This was the pick of @olly_manning 's goals today in a convincing win for Seale FC in what could a title decider against Yateley.
(Get back to Saturday's please)
What a way for @olly_manning to round off his last match before his travels with a hat-trick for Seale FC ...but before he gets too cocky: 3 goals but not MOTM imho (Jordan was insanely good).
Not sure what'll do with my Sunday mornings now
Hate to give him any credit but the @olly_manning hat-trick goal this morning for Seale vs table-toppers Morley Rd was incredible. Wish I'd had video'd that but this him opening the scoring