Seattle: Belgium captain Youri Tielemans revealed his team had been fired up by the uproar surrounding Folarin Balogun after the Red Devils thrashed the United States 4-1 at the World Cup on Monday.
Tielemans said Belgium’s players had held a team meeting after Balogun’s shock FIFA reprieve and had vowed to make a statement against the World Cup co-hosts.“Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said of the Balogun controversy.
“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team,” the Aston Villa midfielder told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.Balogun was named in the United States line-up on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-match ban for a sending off in the last 32, but he made little impact in the match.
The shock FIFA decision came after an intervention by US President Donald Trump in a decision which drew condemnation across the football world.Tielemans’ teammates echoed their captain’s words.
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field,” said Nicolas Raskin.Dodi Lukebakio said the Belgian team “didn’t understand really why he was allowed to play, because he got the red card,” but said they had been focused on performing.“That’s what we did today. So we are very happy, very proud, and what is all around us is not our problem.”
