SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA cleared U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, suspending his one-match red-card ban for a year on probation and giving the Americans a boost before Monday’s game in Seattle.
The world governing body said its disciplinary committee acted under Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which allows a match suspension to be suspended for a one-year probationary period. FIFA said the ban would be enforced if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during that period.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the ruling and said it viewed the decision as contrary to FIFA’s rules. Belgium said it was examining its options.
U.S. Soccer said it accepted the decision and was pleased with the outcome.
Balogun’s red card came in a 2-0 U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reports from AFP and USA Today, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the suspension before FIFA’s ruling.
