Belgium renews hostilities with FIFA at the World Cup. This time over its training pitch

Belgium has renewed hostilities with FIFA at the World Cup — this time over its training pitch.

The country’s federation is continuing to pursue an explanation from world soccer’s governing body over why it decided to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game red card ban which allowed him to face Belgium with the United States in the round of 16 on Monday.

Now, it has taken aim at their training facilities in Los Angeles.

A statement from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) on Wednesday said that upon arriving at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where the team was scheduled to begin it’s quarterfinal preparations, an inspection of the proposed training pitch “showed that the quality of the playing surface did not meet the minimum standards required for our training session.”

The RBFA subsequently asked FIFA to relocate the team’s training base, it said, with that request subsequently granted.

The team will now use MLS side LA Galaxy’s training facilities in Carson ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal against Spain at SoFi Stadium.

A statement from LMU to The Athletic appeared to disagree with Belgium’s assessment of their field conditions.

“Sullivan Field is regularly tested to ensure the highest quality,” it read. “Our field is in top condition and has been used by several professional sports teams, including planned engagements this summer.”

Belgium formally objected to the decision to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, saying it had “no alternative” but to do so. FIFA, however, disagreed with its appeal committee deeming the appeal “inadmissible” as it was “not a party to the proceedings.”

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