Dodi Lukébakio: 'FIFA's Decision on Balogun Leaves Us Baffled'

Belgium winger Dodi Lukébakio has voiced his confusion over FIFA's Disciplinary Committee decision to suspend the ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun. Speaking after a training session, the Sevilla attacker admitted that the team is struggling to grasp the reasoning behind the move. “We didn’t really focus on it, but honestly, we don’t understand why Balogun was allowed to play. Normally, when such decisions are made, they need to be clearly justified. Here, it raises questions,” Lukébakio said. Balogun, a US-born forward who previously represented England at youth level, recently switched his international allegiance to the United States. However, his eligibility was temporarily blocked by a FIFA suspension, which the committee has now lifted pending further review. Lukébakio stopped short of criticizing the process directly but hinted that last-minute rulings can unsettle opponents. “We just play football, but when the rules change mid-stream, it doesn’t help anyone,” he added. The Belgian international’s comments come as both sides prepare for upcoming international fixtures, though it remains unclear whether Balogun will feature in the next window.