Former French footballer Thierry Henry said FIFA’s late decision on American player Folarin Balagan may have affected Belgium’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup. However, Henry also believes that Balagan did not deserve the red card.
Former France striker Thierry Henry has said that the late decision on American forward Folarin Balagan may have affected Belgium’s preparations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 tie. In a video shared by Fox Sports on X, he also said he did not think the striker deserved the red card.
Earlier, FIFA had announced that Balagan’s automatic suspension of one match had been suspended under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). In its statement, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee said, “Under Article 27 FDC, the automatic match suspension of American player Folarin Balagun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
Henry raised questions on the timing of the decision
Responding to this, Henry said in a video shared by Fox Sports on X that the development would have forced Belgium to rethink their tactical strategy in the short term. Henry said, “Yeah, it’s absolutely breaking news for Belgium. It must have broken their morale a bit because you prepare for the game to play a certain way and then suddenly you have to change your preparation.” He further added, “This is what happens when you do something like this. It took three, four days to take the decision.”
‘Balagan did not deserve the red card’
Henry reiterated that he did not think Balagan’s challenge was worthy of a red card. “Now we need to get back to the issue. I don’t think it was a red card, and we all said that. We all know that it was… he didn’t do it intentionally,” he said in a video shared on Twitter.
However, the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward admitted that despite agreeing with the ultimate outcome of the decision, the timing of the decision presented a challenge for the Belgian. “But I have to say, if you’re Belgian, to prepare for the game, it changes everything,” Henry said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s never happened before because it might have happened in the history of the World Cup. I think I heard it probably happened in the old days with Garrincha or someone like that,” the former French footballer said in a video shared on X. He further added, “But all I am saying is that whatever the rule was or is, I am just saying that yes, I was right to some extent, it is the right decision, but why so long?”
What is the whole matter?
Balagan was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2–0 round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite playing with 10 players, the co-hosts secured their place in the last 16, with Balagan having already scored three goals during the tournament.
Belgium surprised by FIFA’s decision
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has strongly protested FIFA’s decision to make American striker Folarin Balagan eligible for Monday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 tie. He has termed this decision as surprising and said that he is exploring all possible avenues to protect his interests.
In an official statement released on Sunday, the RBFA said it was “appalled by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balagan eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match” and questioned the legal basis of the decision. While acknowledging that FIFA had relied on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Belgian federation argued that other rules clearly mandate automatic suspension following a red card. “Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sent-off) results in an automatic suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup,” the statement said.
Balagan is now expected to be available for the match against Belgium in Seattle, where a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals is at stake. (ANI)
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