Folarin Balogun Cleared to Play Against Belgium After FIFA Suspends One-Game Ban
United States forward Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the team’s crucial Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday, July 6. FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced on Sunday that the automatic one-game suspension following his red card in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been set aside.
Balogun, who currently leads the U.S. squad with three goals in the tournament, was issued a straight red card after a VAR review of a challenge on Tarik Muharemović during the 2-0 win on July 2. The decision to suspend the ban was made under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which permits the suspension of sanctions in specific circumstances.
As a condition of the ruling, Balogun has been placed on a one-year probationary period. FIFA clarified that should he commit another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during this timeframe, the original one-game suspension will be enforced. The availability of the 25-year-old provides a significant boost to the U.S. side as they aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
