Belgium Appeals Fifa's Call To Let U.S. Striker Folarin Balogun Play, Gets Shot Down Within Hours

Belgium filed an appeal Monday morning challenging FIFA's decision to let American striker Folarin Balogun take the field in Monday night's U.S.-Belgium World Cup match, but FIFA denied the appeal later that day.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said FIFA never explained why Balogun was suddenly eligible to play, and the group said it had no choice but to challenge it. Balogun picked up a controversial red card last week during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have kept him out of the round of 16 matchup against Belgium. However, President Donald Trump stepped in on Balogun's behalf Sunday, and FIFA lifted the suspension shortly after.

FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal by arguing the country had no standing to challenge the ruling in the first place, since the red card came during a game that didn't involve Belgium's team at all.