Belgium isn’t alone.
Following FIFA’s stunning decision to allow star striker Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s Round of 16 match in Seattle after a red card in the previous U.S. match, Norway coach Ståle Solbakken stood by his fellow Europeans and blasted the ruling.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had dismissed the move as a joke, while the Belgian federation was “astonished” by the “direct contradiction” of tournament rules, prompting it to begin “investigating all potential options.”
In addition to the lack of transparency, Solbakken noted that an American victory may now be tainted by the unexpected decision.
“I have to be honest, I think that’s a big mistake by FIFA,” Solbakken said following Norway’s 2-1 upset of Brazil. “I think it is not a great conclusion. [Balogun] got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. He was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game.
“I think what is really bad about that situation is it will be [hanging] over the United States now. Because if they beat Belgium, it will always have that extra thing about it. Maybe he scores a goal, maybe he plays a good game, and the Belgians will be furious.”
In addition to concerns regarding the perception of the decision — President Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to urge him to review the red card — the Norwegian coach feared what sort of precedent this essentially unprecedented reversal sets for the future.
“What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there gonna be some committee somewhere that takes that card away?” Solbakken said. “It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. … It was not good for the sport or a good decision by FIFA.”
