SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for one year, clearing the United States forward to play Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 in Seattle and prompting a sharp protest from Belgian officials.
FIFA said its disciplinary committee used Article 27 of its code, which allows a match suspension to be put on hold for a one-year probationary period. The governing body said the ban would be enforced if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during that time.
Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Soccer said it accepted FIFA’s decision and was “pleased” with the outcome.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and said it viewed the move as contrary to the rules. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois called Balogun’s clearance to play “a bit of a surprise.”
USA Today reported, citing two sources familiar with the conversation, that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card suspension.
