SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA’s disciplinary committee has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for one year, making the U.S. forward eligible for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 game against Belgium.
FIFA said the punishment was placed on probation under Article 27 of its disciplinary code. The governing body said the suspension would be enforced if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during the probationary period.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and said it believed the move was contrary to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the ruling and was “pleased” with the outcome.
The decision came after multiple reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the conversation, said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card suspension. The reports did not include direct confirmation from Trump, Infantino or FIFA.
Balogun’s red card came in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ruling means he is available for the next match in Seattle, where the U.S. is set to face Belgium.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the ruling was “a bit of a surprise,” according to the reporting.
