Star forward Folarin Balogun has been named in the United States’ starting lineup for Tuesday’s high-voltage World Cup 16 clash against Belgium, taking the field just hours after FIFA rejected an official European appeal in a controversy that has completely divided the sports world.Balogun was slapped with an automatic one-match ban after receiving a straight red card for stepping on an opponent’s ankle during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, after a personal phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the government’s disciplinary committee took the extraordinary decision to suspend the ban for a year, allowing the striker to play.Global reaction and protestsThe highly controversial decision sparked immediate fury in European football. European body UEFA launched a fierce attack on the decision, labeling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. In a desperate attempt to block the striker from playing, the Royal Belgian Football Association has filed an official appeal to reinstate the suspension. However, FIFA’s appeals committee abruptly denied the request, holding that the Belgian federation lacked the appropriate legal qualification to challenge the disciplinary committee’s choice.Tense political drama spilled over the streets of Seattle before kickoff. Furious Belgian supporters marched to Lumen Field chanting “FIFA Mafia” to protest what they saw as unfair political interference. Trying to calm the situation, Infantino publicly stated that he did not play a personal role in the decision of the independent disciplinary committee. The committee also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be waived by the United States Soccer Federation.The quarter finalsBalogun’s inclusion is a massive boost for the tournament’s co-hosts, as his three goals currently lead the American scoring charts. History is on the line for the United States team, which has never won consecutive games in the elimination stage in the history of the World Cup.The match offers a chance for revenge, as Belgium eliminated the Americans at this exact stage during the 2014 edition. The winner of this hotly contested contest will advance to face Spain on Friday in Inglewood, California for a place in the semi-finals.