UEFA Slams FIFA Over Balogun Reinstatement as Belgium Fumes

UEFA has delivered a stinging rebuke to football's governing body, according to Sky Sports, declaring that FIFA has "crossed a red line" and put the "integrity of the game at stake" with its decision to make USA striker Folarin Balogun available for Tuesday's World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium.

Balogun had been handed a one-match ban after being sent off during USA's last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he caught Tarik Muharemovic with his studs after scoring the opening goal. The suspension was set to rule him out of the Belgium fixture, but FIFA intervened to lift it.

The Belgian FA, for their part, described themselves as "astonished" by the ruling and confirmed they are exploring all available options in response. The decision has also drawn sharp criticism from pundits, while US President Donald Trump publicly praised it.

With Balogun having scored three goals at this tournament, the stakes for Tuesday's fixture in Seattle could hardly be higher, and the controversy surrounding his inclusion looks set to overshadow the match itself.