U.S. men’s soccer star striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension has been overturned, making him available for selection in the Americans’ Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday night in Seattle.
Balogun was shown a controversial red card last Wednesday in the U.S. win over Bosnia. The card came after a video replay review showed him inadvertently stepping on the back of the leg of Tarik Muharemović.
A red card in soccer means a player is not only sent off in the match he’s currently playing in, but also suspended for the following one.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the red card suspension, a U.S. official confirmed to FWRD AXIS News.
Trump’s call with Infantino took place last week, according to sources.
“The President and Infantino did speak, and the President wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension,” a U.S. official said in a statement. “The appeal process is run by an independent board. The U.S. government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.”
Trump took to social media to thank FIFA as the news became public.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he said on Truth Social after the suspension was reversed.
Belgium, who plays the United States on Monday, released their own statement on the decision.
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play” in Monday’s match, the RBFA said in a statement Sunday, in part.
The statement further said that the “FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the statement concluded.
U.S. Soccer said in a statement Sunday that it accepted and was “pleased” with the decision of FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend the one-game ban.
“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,” U.S. Soccer said.
