Photo Credit: Getty Images
Folarin Balogun could still be banned for USA's World Cup showdown against Belgium on Monday night after soccer was plunged into a civil war over Donald Trump's intervention on the star's red card.
Furious Belgium soccer bosses have been granted the right to appeal the FIFA ruling that allowed Balogun's ban to be overturned and it is possible, although at this stage not guaranteed, that a decision over reimposing Balogun's ban is made before Monday night's game in Seattle.
Both the United States and Belgium have been asked to provide information over the appeal by 5am PST on Monday morning. The game kicks off at 5pm PST. A member of FIFA's appeals committee has been selected to hear the case.
Balogun, USA's top scorer in the tournament with three goals, was given a straight red card during the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 - a decision at the time that was criticized for being wrong. But it meant that Balogun was to be banned from the next USA game.
Sources have since confirmed to the Daily Mail that the decision was questioned by President Trump, who called FIFA President Gianni Infantino 'to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension.'
The source added that the 'US government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.'
