SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA said Sunday it is suspending Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for one year, a move that makes the U.S. forward eligible for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
The disciplinary committee said the sanction was being held in abeyance under Article 27 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code. FIFA said the suspension would be reinstated if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during the probationary period.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and said it viewed the ruling as contrary to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the decision and was pleased with the outcome.
Balogun’s red card came in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forward’s availability gives the U.S. an attacking option for a knockout match that carries a place in the quarterfinals.
Multiple reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked that Balogun’s suspension be reviewed. The timing of that call was reported differently across outlets.
