SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match red-card ban on a one-year probationary basis, making the U.S. forward eligible for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the suspension of the ban would be held in abeyance under Article 27 of its disciplinary code. The governing body warned that if Balogun commits a similar offense during the probationary period, the suspension would be enforced.
Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision to clear him for the Belgium match immediately drew a sharp response from Belgian officials.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and said it viewed the move as contrary to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the decision and was “pleased” with the outcome.
Multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card suspension. Those reports did not include a direct confirmation from Trump, Infantino or FIFA.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also called the ruling “a bit of a surprise,” according to one of the reports.
