SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has made U.S. forward Folarin Balogun eligible for the World Cup round of 16 against Belgium after suspending his one-match red-card ban for one year, a ruling that drew astonishment from Belgian officials.
FIFA said its disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows a match suspension to be put on hold during 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’s red card came in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The next match in the reporting was Monday’s game against Belgium in Seattle.
Reports citing people familiar with the conversation said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked that Balogun’s red card be reviewed. The exact timing of that call was reported differently.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s 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 decision.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the clearance was “a bit of a surprise,” according to reporting on the decision.
