FIFA Allows US Forward Folarin Balogun to Play in Round of 16 vs. Belgium
The governing body has cleared U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to participate in the World Cup knockout match against Belgium after overturning a red-card suspension.
FIFA has approved U.S. men’s national team forward Folarin Balogun to take part in the United States’ round-of-16 World Cup match against Belgium in Seattle on Monday, according to multiple sources. Balogun, who scored the decisive goal in the previous round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, received a red card late in that game, which would normally trigger an automatic one-match ban.
Under FIFA’s disciplinary procedures, the red card was deemed improperly issued because the video assistant referee sent Brazilian referee Raphael Claus a slow-motion replay of the incident, yet Claus did not caution Balogun on the field. Although U.S. Soccer could not appeal the sanction under standard rules, FIFA’s disciplinary committee exercised its authority to suspend the implementation of the measure, allowing Balogun to remain eligible.
Balogun leads the United States with three goals at the tournament. The decision cites FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, Chapter 4, Article 27, which permits a judicial body to fully or partially suspend disciplinary actions.