Romelu Lukaku and his Belgium teammates appeared to aim a deliberate dig at US President Donald Trump as they romped to victory in Seattle – and the nation's social media team even got involved.
Belgium secured their place in the World Cupquarter-final as goals from Charles De Ketelaere (2), Hans Vanaken and a late goal from Lukaku sealed a memorable 4-1 win.
Given the controversial build-up to Monday's game, it was a satisfying victory for Rudi Garcia's side.
Just days before kick-off, FIFA confirmed that it had decided to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, which he received after being sent off in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UEFA accused FIFA of "crossing a red line" before adding that the move was "incomprehensible and unjustifiable", while the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished" by the decision.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, confirmed that he contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the red card to be reviewed. In fact, he claimed in a speech at the White House that he was "the one that got them to do it".
Earlier on Monday, the RBFA lodged an appeal against the decision but it was swiftly turned down by FIFA's Appeals Committee.
Romelu Lukaku and his Belgium teammates celebrate fourth goal with dance routine
Belgium silenced their opponents on Monday night and, after Romelu Lukaku made it 4-1 in stoppage time, some of the team performed a dance routine that appeared to taunt President Trump's signature move.
For those unaware, the Trump dance is a celebratory routine inspired by the US president dancing to his campaign song "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People.
After the full-time whistle, Belgium's @BelRedDevilssocial media account posted a picture of Lukaku celebrating his goal alongside the caption: "Overturn this."
Gianni Infantino issues statement addressing backlash over Folarin Balogun's red card suspension
Just days after FIFA confirmed that Balogun's automatic one-match ban would be suspended for a year, Gianni Infantino has addressed the situation in a statement published on UEFA's social media channels.
Here, he confirmed his chat with Donald Trumpregarding the decision.
Infantino said: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.
“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.
“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.
"During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.
“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.
“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”
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