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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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“...name a famous Belgian.”
Audrey Hepburn
That’s not a penalty!
3-2
I agree. It’s a make up call.
This is nuts.
I don’t like the way this is going. The ref is deciding the game.
Very bad referee.
“name a famous Belgian”
Leopold II
who is in the class of Stalin and Mao for the atrocity deaths incurred in the countries they ruled (Leopold = Congo Free State)
Reminds me of our game against Bosnia - Herzegovina.
I dunno. Every time I hear something about Belgium I think of belching. I guess its the closeness of the sounds, but still its pretty gross. We do have one of those Belching Waffle places here where they serve those cardboard waffles with whip cream on them. $24 for indigestion at breakfast or is it lunch?
Mexico’s on the power play.
Yeah, and it will last at least 15 more minutes.
The “Putos” are getting louder.
Yep.
What do you think for stoppage? 10 minutes?
Omg, 11 minutes.
Here’s a suggestion, England.
Call Pres. Trump.
Not kidding.
Woo hoo!! England wins!!
England holds on!
Next Haaland against the country of his birth.
England hung on with quiet desperation.
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