Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Belgium’s clinical 4-1 victory over the United States in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday night did not just end American hopes on the pitch. It ignited a fierce social media battle off it. Moments after knocking the co-hosts out at Seattle Stadium, the official Belgian Red Devils social media accounts delivered a stinging rebuke to FIFA and the US political establishment.
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The team shared a photograph of veteran striker Romelu Lukaku silencing the American crowd after scoring Belgium’s definitive fourth goal in stoppage time. Accompanying the image was a sharp, two-word caption: “Overturn this.”
The post was a direct, public mockery of the unprecedented controversy that overshadowed the build-up to the knockout match.
American striker Folarin Balogun had been shown a straight red card during the USA’s final group-stage game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision that carries an automatic one-match suspension.
However, following heavy political lobbying from Washington, FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee controversially rescinded the ban on the eve of the match, allowing Balogun to start against Belgium.The decision caused outrage within the Belgian camp, who felt the governing body had succumbed to political pressure.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the final whistle, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin did not hide his feelings of vindication.
“Like I said, I think there was always a justice somewhere in life and the fact that something can happen like that, you can put it all you want, but we don’t think that was fair,” Raskin said.
“And today, I think it just brings us a little bit of luck. We needed to win the game and the message throughout.”
HOW TRUMP DEFENDED HIS ACT
The controversy began when US President Donald Trump chose to intervene personally in the sporting dispute. Trump held three separate telephone conversations with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to complain about the refereeing, later branding the original red card a “suspect” decision.
Defending his actions from the Oval Office, Trump stated: “All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”
Following the tournament organisers’ decision to clear Balogun to play, Trump released a formal statement praising the governing body, saying: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
FIFA and Infantino faced heavy criticism from European football associations for compromising the tournament’s integrity. In defence of the ruling, FIFA officials cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which permits judicial bodies to suspend the implementation of disciplinary measures under exceptional circumstances.
Ultimately, the political manoeuvring did little to alter the outcome on the pitch. Belgium dominated the match, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Hans Vanaken capitalising on a defensive error before Lukaku’s late strike sealed the 4-1 rout. Balogun, despite the reprieve, struggled to make an impact against a disciplined Belgian defence and failed to find the net.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
