SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — Folarin Balogun will be eligible for the United States’ World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA’s disciplinary committee put his one-match red-card suspension on hold for a one-year probationary period.
FIFA said the suspension was suspended under Article 27 of its disciplinary code. The governing body said the ban would be reinstated if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period.
AFP and other outlets reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card. FIFA did not publicly confirm the reported call.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and said it viewed the move as contrary to the rules. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the ruling was “a bit of a surprise.”
U.S. Soccer said it accepted FIFA’s decision and was pleased with the outcome.
Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the reporting. He is now cleared to play when the Americans face Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
