Folarin Balogun is available for Red Card Balogun against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-game ban. The USMNT striker will be eligible for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match at Lumen Field in Seattle, a turn that changes the lineup picture only days after a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun’s Ban
Balogun was sent off on Wednesday for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic, and a straight red card normally brings an automatic one-game suspension under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s rules for the tournament. He had already started in all but one game for the tournament co-hosts, scored twice in the opener against Paraguay, and then added another goal against Bosnia in the first half of the 2-0 win in Santa Clara, Calif.
That run made his status unusually important for the knockout round. He has registered at least one goal contribution in every World Cup game he has played in so far, so his availability against Belgium is not a minor roster detail; it alters the USMNT’s most productive attacking option on the eve of a round-of-16 match.
FIFA’s Probationary Step
After the game, FIFA officials said a team is not able to appeal a red card or the resulting suspension. FIFA then took a different route on Sunday afternoon and said the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
The governing body also set the condition for that reprieve. “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.” Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code allows the judicial body to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure, and it says the suspension can be revoked if the player commits a similar infringement during the probationary period.
USMNT Reaction in Seattle
The change reached the team on the bus to training at the University of Washington on Sunday. Christian Pulisic said, “Obviously for us it gives us a boost,” and Chris Richards said, “We weren’t quite sure if it was true or not. I think everyone knows with AI … We ultimately found out on social media. It was cool to get confirmation it was true,” before calling Balogun’s reaction “Lit.”
U.S. Soccer said it accepted and was pleased with the decision, adding, “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.” The ruling leaves Balogun available for Belgium in Seattle on Monday, and the only remaining risk is tied to the one-year probationary period attached to the suspended sanction.
