U.S. striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared to take the field for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 matchup against Belgium in Seattle, after FIFA announced Sunday that his one-match suspension has been put on hold.
Balogun, 25, had scored his third goal of the tournament in the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia, but was ejected in the second half following a VAR review for making contact with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle with his boot. The red card left the U.S. shorthanded for the rest of the match.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino maintained that the sending-off was unjustified, saying it was never a red card.
FIFA issued a statement explaining its decision: “…the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.” The governing body added that if Balogun “commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
FIFA’s judicial body holds the authority to fully or partially suspend the enforcement of a disciplinary ruling.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the ruling via Truth Social, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice.”
U.S. Soccer also welcomed the news, stating it was “pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.”
Balogun’s teammates said they learned about the ruling through social media while traveling to practice. American forward Christian Pulisic described the moment: “We found out about it just coming over here. At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this is great news’.”
Belgium’s camp had not yet issued a response to Balogun’s reinstatement ahead of Monday’s game in Seattle.
This is not the first time FIFA has suspended a ban of this kind. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was permitted to play in his country’s opening World Cup matches after FIFA placed the final two games of a three-match suspension on hold — a ban that had stemmed from a red card he received in a qualifying match against Ireland the previous year.
In contrast, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match ban after a red card for a tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during group stage play at the tournament.
