FIFA Clears Balogun for U.S. World Cup Clash With Belgium After Suspending One-Match Ban

[Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States in Monday’s Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium after FIFA suspended his automatic one-game ban from a red card earlier in the tournament.

The 25-year-old striker was sent off during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a video review showed him appearing to step on an opponent’s ankle. The challenge was ruled serious foul play, which normally carries an automatic suspension for the next match, according to reports.

FIFA said its independent disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, delaying enforcement of the suspension for a one-year probationary period. The organization said the decision followed its standard disciplinary process and was not influenced by outside pressure.

The ruling came after reports that President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the Bosnia match to request a review. Trump later posted on social media thanking FIFA for “reversing a great injustice.” FIFA has maintained that the decision was made independently.

Belgian officials sharply criticized the move. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the ruling, arguing that it conflicts with tournament rules treating red-card suspensions as automatic. The association said it is reviewing its options to defend fair play and the rights of competing teams.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also mocked the timing, saying he had not realized the World Cup had turned July 5 into “April Fools’ Day.” Belgium has been allowed to appeal the ruling, with any hearing expected to be handled by a FIFA appeals committee member from outside Europe or the Americas to avoid conflicts of interest.

European soccer officials, including UEFA representatives, have also raised whining complains that the decision could damage confidence in the integrity of the competition. They, for some reason, didn’t know that UEFA did almost the exact same thing in their recent tournament.

The reversal of Balogun’s red card isn’t even the first reversal of a red card of the tournament. Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had his red card overturned as well without nary a peep from European officials.

The reaction from Europe shows how different Americans and Europeans are. The issue is not that Belgium is injured by the decision but that America won’t be handicapped. Whereas most Americans want to play the opponent at full strength, Europeans whine and cry that a red card that was universally disparaged as a bad call, won’t be enforced.

 

The United States, one of the tournament’s co-host nations, will face Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. Balogun has been one of the Americans’ top attacking threats this summer, and his availability gives the U.S. a major boost heading into the knockout match.

FIFA emphasized that suspending the ban does not erase the red card from Balogun’s record. Under the one-year probation, further misconduct could lead to the original suspension being enforced, along with possible additional punishment.

The decision has quickly become one of the tournament’s most debated disciplinary rulings, but it has also revealed the extent to which Europeans have Trump Derangement Syndrome.

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