Rudi Garcia has slammed FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension.
Balogun will be free to face Belgium in the United States‘ World Cup round-of-16 showdown despite being initially ruled out of the game by his recent sending-off.
The Monaco forward was set to serve a one-game ban for being dismissed in his country’s last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic.
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Rudi Garcia blasts FIFA for Folarin Balogun decision
However FIFA has triggered Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code which allows Balogun’s immediate suspension to be held back for a 12-month period.
It means the 25-year-old will be free to play for Mauricio Pochettino‘s side in the Seattle showdown as well as for the remainder of their tournament involvement.
Only a similar infringement that led to Balogun’s original suspension would see it reinstated before his probationary period is set to expire in 12 months’ time.
The decision, reportedly taken after lobbying from US President Donald Trump. was met with condemnation by the Royal Belgian Football Association on Sunday.
Red Devils’ head coach Garcia has now added his voice to the complaint ahead of the last-16 tie which will set up a quarter-final clash with either Portugal or Spain.
“I thought the World Cup was in July, not April. It’s now April Fools,” said Garcia.
“We’re not defending the national team or the federation. We’re defending football.”
FIFA’s ruling was condemned across football with former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville lamenting the world governing body’s U-turn.
“It absolutely stinks, let’s be really clear,” he told ITV.
“But what I would say is the thing that stinks the most is there should be a review process in place because I actually didn’t think it was a red card and I think there should be a process which allows it to be overturned.
“But if there’s no process for it to be overturned and then somehow FIFA, from nowhere, have just decided to basically let a player play and the rules are the same for everybody [else].
“I would be absolutely raging if I was Belgium and every other team in the tournament that’s had a player sent off that might think it’s a little bit hard done to. Are we surprised? No, no with this lot.”
