Belgium's World Cup quarter-final preparations have been thrown into disarray after a club versus country row erupted just hours before their clash with Spain. Defender Zeno Debast has been banned from featuring for the Red Devils by his club Sporting Lisbon, despite being called up for the tournament.
Club Cites Fitness Concerns
Debast, who has yet to feature for manager Rudi Garcia's side in the World Cup, suffered a thigh injury in May while playing for the Portuguese heavyweights. Sporting have expressed concerns over his fitness, leading to the decision to prevent him from playing. The Belgian FA confirmed that Debast will not be available for the quarter-final.
A spokesperson from the Royal Belgian Football Association said: “Zeno Debast will not be available for the quarter final. His club, Sporting CP, have informed the player that they did not consider him to be medically fit to play matches. This assessment differs from that of the Red Devils’ medical staff, as well as Fifa’s medical and insurance authorities. Zeno is currently training individually under the supervision of the RBFA’s Performance Department.”
Impact on Belgium's Squad
The row highlights the ongoing tension between national teams and clubs over player availability and medical assessments. Debast's absence could weaken Belgium's defensive options as they face a strong Spanish side in a high-stakes match. The Belgian FA has not confirmed whether they will contest the decision further.
