SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA said Folarin Balogun’s one-match red-card suspension has been put on hold for a one-year probationary period, clearing the U.S. forward to play against Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 in Seattle.
The decision leaves the United States with Balogun available after its 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he received the red card. FIFA said the disciplinary committee used Article 27 of its code, which allows a match ban to be suspended for one year.
FIFA warned that if Balogun commits another offense of similar nature and gravity during that period, the suspension will be reinstated and the sanction enforced.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and said it believed the move ran counter to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the decision and was pleased with it.
Multiple reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red-card suspension. The timing of that reported call was not consistent across the reports.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois called Balogun’s clearance to play “a bit of a surprise,” according to AFP reporting.
