The USMNT will have starting striker Folarin Balogun available for their crucial World Cup Round of 16 game against Belgium following a shock decision by FIFA.
On Sunday morning, the governing body unexpectedly intervened to suspend the mandatory one-match ban stemming from the forward’s recent red card.
The 25-year-old forward was sent off during the Americans’ recent victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Though it initially appeared to be a fairly innocuous tackle, replays showed that the striker did appear to scrape his cleats down his rival’s leg. However, the decision sparked widespread fury online, with many fans questioning the referee’s call.
Now, just days later, USA fans have got their wish after FIFA confirmed that they would suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, making him available for Monday’s game.
In a statement, FIFA said: ‘In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
FIFA have suspended the one-game ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun
It means that the striker will be available for their clash against Belgium on Monday
‘If Folarin 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.’
In response, the USMNT said: ‘We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.
‘Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.’
Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s tournament regulations, the dismissal automatically carries a mandatory one-game suspension.
Multiple FIFA officials had previously confirmed that national teams are prohibited from formally appealing red cards or the subsequent disciplinary sanctions.
However, the governing body’s judicial committee utilized a rare stipulation within Article 27 of the disciplinary code to circumvent the immediate ban.
The specific regulation allows the committee to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.
The disciplinary body recently applied the exact same probationary regulation to Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the global tournament.
Balogun broke his silence on the matter in the days that followed the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting that he felt a yellow card would’ve been fair.
‘First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I’m sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There’s not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it’s happened, and it’s something that I have to accept and move forward from.’
More to follow…
