SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for a year, clearing the U.S. forward to play Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 and drawing an angry response from the Royal Belgian Football Association.
FIFA said its disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of the federation’s disciplinary code, which allows a suspension to be put on hold for a one-year probationary period. The governing body warned that if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during that period, the ban will be enforced.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and said it considered the move contrary to FIFA’s rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the ruling and was pleased with the outcome.
AFP and USA Today, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to urge a review of Balogun’s red card suspension. The reports did not include comment from Trump, Infantino or FIFA on the call.
Balogun was sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. His eligibility leaves the U.S. with the forward available for the next match against Belgium in Seattle.
