Posted on 07/05/2026 6:34:23 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
After the Royal Belgian Football Association released a 283-word statement saying it was “astonished” at Folarin Balogun’s reinstatement, manager Rudi Garcia compared it to April Fools’ Day at his pre-match press conference.
“I didn’t know that July 5 was equal to April 1 at FIFA,” Garcia said in French, through an interpreter.
“We’re not defending the national team or federation,” Garcia continued. “We’re defending in football. … It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision is taken. I am a head coach, I will focus on my team, on tomorrow’s game. Regardless of the 11 starting players from the U.S., I will focus on my team.”
Garcia and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois attempted in vain to keep questions focused on the match itself, but all anyone wanted to talk about was Balogun.
The RBFA statement cited a series of FIFA bylaws, and said the federation “is investigating all potential options.”
While it’s unclear exactly what that might entail, Garcia was asked whether an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was a possibility, even if it were to take place after Monday’s game.
“Do not waste your time talking about this,” Garcia said. “I am the head coach of the Belgian national team. He [Courtois] is the player. If you have any sporting questions, football questions, we’ll happily answer them.”
Courtois, the veteran goalkeeper who started against the USMNT in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup — one of three Belgian players this year who did so, along with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku — insisted that Balogun’s reentry into the lineup would change nothing.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Miserable Fat Belgian Bastards!
2-0 England
Balogun is a birthright “citizen”. he never should have been on the team.
Just because he can play doesn’t mean he will.
The White House should put sanctions on Belgium. I’m never ******* eating a waffle again.— JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) July 6, 2026
He'll play. We're not Canada.
2-1.
I’m on pins and needles, and the first half isn’t even in the books yet.
Belgian crybabies.
Did their widdle fee-fees get hurt?
Maybe the Bosnia-Herzegovina guy should flop harder next time, like a girl.
And maybe the Belgian guys should cry harder next time, like little girls.
A scintillating first half.
Yes.
It’s been a great game. In all honesty Mexico is playing far better than England. Two great saves by Pickford and a few other close calls. It could easily be 3-2 or 4-2 Mexico at half.
Apart from the Singing Nun, name a famous Belgian.
Jean Claude Van Damme.
One of my dad’s best friends was Belgian. Not famous, but his accent was pretty cool.
Léon Degrelle.
The Manneken Pis?
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