SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA said Sunday it has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for one year, clearing the United States forward to play Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 and drawing an angry response from Belgian officials.
The governing body said its disciplinary committee acted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows a match suspension to be put on hold during a one-year probationary period.
FIFA said the sanction 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 decision and said it viewed the move as contrary to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the ruling and was pleased with the outcome.
People familiar with the matter told multiple outlets that Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card suspension. The reports did not include a direct comment from Trump, Infantino or FIFA confirming the call.
Balogun’s red card came in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forward was then reported eligible for Monday’s match against Belgium in Seattle, a game that now carries added significance for the U.S. team’s knockout-stage path.
