SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has put Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension on hold for one year, clearing the U.S. forward to play Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 in Seattle.
The world governing body said the disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of its code, which allows a match ban to be suspended for a one-year probationary period. FIFA said the suspension would be enforced if Balogun commits another offense of similar nature and gravity during that time.
The decision came after reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s red card suspension.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and said it believed the move ran counter to the rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the decision and was pleased with it.
Balogun’s red card came in the U.S. team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
