A Stunning About-Face
“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.” usatoday.com
The decision is a jarring departure from what FIFA officials had communicated just days earlier. On July 1, FIFA confirmed to ESPN that there was “no route to appeal a red card at the tournament.” As recently as Friday, U.S. Soccer confirmed that Balogun would be suspended for the Belgium match after the disciplinary committee kept his punishment at one game without adding additional matches. usatoday.com espn.com
U.S. Soccer welcomed the reversal, saying in a statement: “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.” usatoday.com
The Red Card That Sparked a Furor
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the Americans’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 after a VAR review determined he had stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle. The call was widely viewed as harsh, and the USMNT finished the match a man down for the final 30 minutes. oklahoman.com nytimes.com usatoday.com
According to the New York Post, FIFA appears to have applied the same rationale it used to lift Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension earlier in the tournament. nypost.com
What’s at Stake Monday Night
The USMNT faces Belgium at 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, July 7, at Lumen Field in Seattle, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals against either Spain or Portugal. Balogun’s return gives the Americans back their most potent attacking weapon for what is being called one of the most-watched U.S. soccer matches ever played on home soil. The U.S. has not advanced past the Round of 16 in a World Cup since 2002. seattletimes.com oklahoman.com usatoday.com
